She triumphed over her rival.

Balthazar lifted her, carried her to the sofa, and knelt at her feet.
"Have I caused you such grief ?" he said, in the tone of a man waking from a painful dream.
"My poor Claes! yes, and you will cause me more, in spite of yourself," she said, passing her hand over his hair.

"Sit here beside me," she continued, pointing to the sofa.

"Ah! I can forget it all now, now that you come back to us; all can be repaired--but you will not abandon me again?
say that you will not! My noble husband, grant me a woman's influence on your heart, that influence which is so needful to the happiness of suffering artists, to the troubled minds of great men.

You may be harsh to me, angry with me if you will, but let me check you a little for your good.