If you married, your husband might not share your feelings, he might bring trouble into the family and disturb your father's life." Marguerite looked at her mother and said, "Have you nothing else to say to me about my marriage ?" "Can you hesitate, my child ?" cried the dying woman in alarm.
"No," the daughter answered; "I promise to obey you." "Poor girl! I did not sacrifice myself for you," said the mother, shedding hot tears.

"Yet I ask you to sacrifice yourself for all.
Happiness makes us selfish.

Be strong; preserve your own good sense to guard others who as yet have none.

Act so that your brothers and your sister may not reproach my memory.

Love your father, and do not oppose him--too much." She laid her head on her pillow and said no more; her strength was gone; the inward struggle between the Wife and the Mother had been too violent.
A few moments later the clergy came, preceded by the Abbe de Solis, and the parlor was filled by the children and the household.