What reasons could I have?
I leave you quite free to settle everything as you yourself may desire." Silence fell.

While answering, she had looked him frankly in the face; but a little quiver stirred her lips, and gloom, for which she could not account, seemed to rise and darken her face, usually as bright and gay as spring water.

In former times would she not have laughed and sung at the mere announcement of that coming wedding?
Then Guillaume, with an effort which made his voice tremble, dared to speak out: "You must forgive me for asking you a question, my dear Marie.
There is still time for you to cancel your promise.

Are you quite certain that you love me ?" At this she looked at him in genuine stupefaction, utterly failing to understand what he could be aiming at.

And--as she seemed to be deferring her reply, he added: "Consult your heart.