83/94 She remained for a moment with her head lowered, and ill at ease. Then, thinking she detected a gleam in his eyes, she raised her hand to her jacket and began to unfasten the first button. But Goujet had fallen on his knees, and taking hold of her hands, he exclaimed softly: "I love you, Madame Gervaise; oh! I love you still, and in spite of everything, I swear it to you!" "Don't say that, Monsieur Goujet!" she cried, maddened to see him like this at her feet. "No, don't say that; you grieve me too much." And as he repeated that he could never love twice in his life, she became yet more despairing. |