On the previous day she had gone with Pierre and Antoine on a cycling excursion over frightful roads in the direction of Montmorency, whence they had returned in a state of mingled anger and delight.

When Guillaume stopped her in the little garden, he found her humming a song while returning bare-armed from the scullery, where some washing was going on.
"Do you want to speak to me ?" she asked.
"Yes, my dear child, it's necessary for us to talk of some serious matters." She at once understood that their marriage was in question, and became grave.

She had formerly consented to that marriage because she regarded it as the only sensible course she could take, and this with full knowledge of the duties which she would assume.

No doubt her husband would be some twenty years older than herself, but this circumstance was one of somewhat frequent occurrence, and as a rule such marriages turned out well, rather than otherwise.

Moreover, she was in love with nobody, and was free to consent.