Her long-controlled anguish won the day and, as once before, she burst into a passion of tears.
The Pere Anselme did not seek to comfort her; he knew women well--she would be calmer presently, and would tell him what her sorrow was.

He only murmured some words in Latin and looked out on the sea.
Presently the sobs ceased and the Dame d'Heronac rose quickly and left the room; and when she had mastered her emotion, she came back again.
"My father," she said, sitting on a low stool at his knees, "I have been very foolish and very wicked--but I cannot talk about it.

Let us begin to read.".