I had no doubt, from the way in which Marguerite came to meet her, that another similar conversation was going to take place, and I was anxious to hear what it was about.

The two women shut themselves into a boudoir, and I put myself within hearing.
"Well ?" said Marguerite.
"Well, I have seen the duke." "What did he say ?" "That he would gladly forgive you in regard to the scene which took place, but that he has learned that you are publicly living with M.
Armand Duval, and that he will never forgive that.

'Let Marguerite leave the young man,' he said to me, 'and, as in the past, I will give her all that she requires; if not, let her ask nothing more from me.'" "And you replied ?" "That I would report his decision to you, and I promised him that I would bring you into a more reasonable frame of mind.

Only think, my dear child, of the position that you are losing, and that Armand can never give you.

He loves you with all his soul, but he has no fortune capable of supplying your needs, and he will be bound to leave you one day, when it will be too late and when the duke will refuse to do any more for you.