Was no torture to be spared her?
She could not restrain this heartbroken cry: "Oh! that is too much! My sufferings are greater than I can bear.

I beseech you go away quickly and do not be so cruel.

Why did you come at all?
I was resigned.

I had learned to accept the misfortune of being no longer loved by you.

Yet the moment that I am reassured of your affection, all my martyrdom recommences; and how can you expect me to live now ?" Felicien, not aware of the depth of her despair, and thinking that she had yielded simply to a momentary feeling, repeated his question: "If my father wishes me to marry her----" She struggled heroically against her intense suffering; she succeeded in standing up, notwithstanding that her heart was crushed, and dragging herself slowly towards the table, as if to make room for him to pass her, she said: "Marry her, for it is always necessary to obey." In his turn he was now before the window, ready to take his departure, because she had sent him away from her.
"But it will make you die if I do so." She had regained her calmness, and, smiling sadly, she replied: "Oh! that work is nearly done already." For one moment more he looked at her, so pale, so thin, so wan; light as a feather, to be carried away by the faintest breath.