Madame de Pers was kind enough to lend herself to that combination, although the country was generally repulsive to her, and Vastville in particular had in her eyes a sinister character.

She pretended that she heard at night noises in the walls and moans in the woods.

She slept with one eye open and two candles burning.

The magnificent cliffs that bordered the coast a short distance off, and which they tried to make her admire, caused her a painful sensation.
"Very fine!" she said, "very wild! quite wild! But it makes me sick; I feel as though I were on top of the towers of Notre Dame! Besides, my children, love beautifies everything, and I understand your transports perfectly.

As to myself, you must excuse me if I do not share them.