That confounded doctor has kept me mute long enough in all conscience, and I am tired to death of having the seal of silence upon my lips, like a statue of Hippocrates." "But I am afraid you may do yourself harm; remember that your wound is scarcely healed yet, and the injured lung is still very irritable.
Maitre Laurent laid such stress upon my reading to you, so that you should keep quiet, and give your chest a good chance to get strong and well again." "Maitre Laurent doesn't know what he's talking about, and only wants to prolong his own importance to me.

My lungs work as well as ever they did.

I feel perfectly myself again, and I've a great mind to order my horse and go for a canter in the forest." "You had better talk than do such a wildly imprudent thing as that; it is certainly less dangerous." "I shall very soon be about again, my sweet little sister, and then I shall have the pleasure of introducing you into the society suitable to your rank--where your incomparable grace and beauty will create a sensation, and bring crowds of adorers to your feet.

From among them you will be able to select a husband, eh ?" "I can have no desire to do anything of that kind, Vallombreuse, and pray do not think this the foolish declaration of a girl who would be very sorry to be taken at her word.

I am entirely in earnest, I do assure you.