Is not that preferable ?" He still lacked the courage to understand her.

"Preferable! When I'm in agony?
When my life is wrecked ?" Thereupon she rose and came to him, tall and rigid in her thin black gown, and with an expression of austerity and energy on her pale face.
"My son," she said, "you know that I love you, and that I wish you to be very noble and lofty.

Only the other morning, you had an attack of fright, the house narrowly escaped being blown up.

Then, for some days now you have been sitting over those documents and plans in an absent-minded, distracted state, like a man who feels weak, and doubts, and no longer knows his way.

Believe me, you are following a dangerous path; it is better that Pierre should marry Marie, both for their sakes and for your own." "For my sake?
No, no! What will become of me!" "You will calm yourself and reflect, my son.