Or else they will say that a woman has made a coward of you, and that I am she!' 'Coward!' yelled the parrot in a tone of withering contempt, and the creature actually spat in disgust.
Giovanni started violently, for he had not noticed the bird in the room.

Then he tried to laugh at his own surprise.
'I do not wonder that you are surprised, Monsieur,' said Madame Bernard with a pleasant smile.

'Oh, Coco has exactly my poor husband's voice!' 'I can brave a parrot's opinion,' Giovanni said, attempting to speak gaily.
'Will you brave mine ?' Angela asked.
'You certainly do not think I am afraid to go,' he answered, 'for you know why I mean to refuse.

My first duty is to you.

As I am placed, it would be cowardly to be afraid to face public opinion in doing that duty, and to keep you waiting six months or a year longer than necessary, when I have promised to provide means for us to marry within a year.