"Now for our own affairs!" said Frederic.
"How! what affairs?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Anything important?"
"Very serious."
"Anything about our marriage? You alarm me!"
"Suppose this morning when you doubted the possibility of Helen's love I had answered, 'Do not be afraid, Helen loves and will marry you, but there is an obstacle, and the marriage cannot possibly take place in less than a year?'"
"What would you have? I should have been in despair at the delay, but transported by the news."
"Well, my friend, I tell you now what I should have told you this morning. Helen loves you. She did not ask me to tell you this; she has told it herself, but at this moment there is an insurmountable obstacle."
"At least you will explain what the obstacle is?"