"Hear me, father: better kill us at one blow than make us suffer a hundred deaths a day.

Let it now be seen which of us must yield." "Do you mean to kill your father ?" "We avenge our mother," she said, pointing to the spot where Madame Claes died.
"My daughter, if you knew the truth of the matter, you would not use those words to me.

Listen, and I will endeavor to exlain the great problem--but no, you cannot comprehend me," he cried in accents of despair.

"Come, give me the money; believe for once in your father.

Yes, I know I caused your mother pain: I have dissipated--to use the word of fools--my own fortune and injured yours; I know my children are sacrificed for a thing you call madness; but my angel, my darling, my love, my Marguerite, hear me! If I do not now succeed, I will give myself up to you; I will obey you as you are bound to obey me; I will do your will; you shall take charge of all my property; I will no longer be the guardian of my children; I pledge myself to lay down my authority.