She continued to treat her son as if he were at death's door; and she trembled when she happened to reflect that she would one day die herself, and would leave him alone and suffering.

In that contingency, she relied on Therese, saying to herself that the young girl would be a vigilant guardian beside Camille.
Her niece with her tranquil manner, and mute devotedness, inspired her with unlimited confidence.

She had seen Therese at work, and wished to give her to her son as a guardian angel.

This marriage was a solution to the matter, foreseen and settled in her mind.
The children knew for a long time that they were one day to marry.

They had grown up with this idea, which had thus become familiar and natural to them.