Though his passion told him every hour, was telling him all day long, that she was as false as hell, yet there was something in him of judgment, something rather of instinct, which told him also that she was not bad, that she was a firm-hearted, high-spirited, great-minded girl, who would have reasons to give for the thing that she was doing.
He went through into the kitchen before he met any one, and there he found Madame Voss with the cook and Peter.

Immediate explanations had, of course, to be made as to his unexpected arrival;--questions asked, and suggestions offered--'Came he in peace, or came he in war ?' Had he come because he had heard of the betrothals?
He admitted that it was so.

'And you are glad of it ?' asked Madame Voss.

'You will congratulate her with all your heart ?' 'I will congratulate her certainly,' said George.

Then the cook and Peter began with a copious flow of domestic eloquence to declare how great a marriage this was for the Lion d'Or--how pleasing to the master, how creditable to the village, how satisfactory to the friends, how joyous to the bridegroom, how triumphant to the bride! 'No doubt she will have plenty to eat and drink, and fine clothes to wear, and an excellent house over her head,' said George in his bitterness.
'And she will be married to one of the most respectable young men in all Switzerland,' said Madame Voss in a tone of much anger.