The young man laid the letters and cheques on his mother's knees. In his tones and gestures there was such resolution and firmness that his mother saw that she cherished in vain the hope of changing him. In presence of that conviction her strength gave way.
"Well," she said, "be it according to your will, and may God forget that you have forced your mother to yield to you."
"God will forget it, mother; and when you see the happiness of your son you will forget it yourself."
The baroness shook her head.
"Go," she said, "marry, far away from me, a stranger I do not know and have never seen."
"I shall marry, I hope, a woman whom you will know and appreciate, mother; and that great day of my happiness will be blessed by your sanction. You have offered to join me wherever I go; wherever that may be I shall expect you, mother."
The baroness rose and made a few steps toward the door.
"Going without a word of farewell, without a kiss, mother? Are you not afraid it may bring me evil?"
"My unhappy boy, come to my arms, to my heart!"
And she said the words with that maternal cry which, sooner or later, must come from a mother's heart. Michel pressed her tenderly to his breast.