Why have you done so, tell me, why ?" Mere-Grand was not fond of talking.

Absolute mistress of the house as she was, managing everything, accountable to nobody for her actions, she never gave expression to all that she thought or all that she desired.
Indeed, there was no occasion for it, as Guillaume, like the children, relied upon her completely, with full confidence in her wisdom.

And her somewhat enigmatical ways even helped to raise her in their estimation.
"What is the use of words, when things themselves speak ?" she now gently answered, while still plying her needle.

"It is quite true that I approved of the plan of a marriage between you and Marie, for I saw that it was necessary that she should be married if she was to stay here.

And then, too, there were many other reasons which I needn't speak of.
However, Pierre's arrival here has changed everything, and placed things in their natural order.