I am so old that I forgot what happens when young people are thrown together, and I was the only one who did not know what was going on when you were affording subject of gossip for the whole countryside; my niece--" But here Andre started to his feet with a threatening look upon his face.
"I could strangle them all," cried he.
"That is right," returned the old lady, secretly pleased at his vigor and energy, "but you cannot silence every idle tongue.

Fortunately, matters have not gone too far.

Go away, and forget my niece." She might as well have told the young man to go away and die.
"Madame!" cried he in accents of despair, "pray listen to me.

I am young, and full of hope and courage." The old lady was so touched by his evident sorrow, that the tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.
"What is the good of saying this to me ?" asked she.

"Sabine is not my daughter.