"Are you laying snares for me, then, sweet Bertha? But I shall not let you exult over my falling into one of these well-laid traps. I only said I feared nothing could be done to bring about Mademoiselle Madeleine's union with any one."
"But you know whom she loves?"
"She has never told me."
"But you at least suspect?"
"What right have I to suspect? And you know I am dull,—I did not even suspect whom her cousin Bertha loved."
Bertha hung her head for a moment, but quickly returned to the attack.
"Tell me, at least, whom you think Madeleine prefers."
"I have no right to do that,—it would not be fair to Mademoiselle Madeleine,—she would never forgive me!"
"Ah, then you and I may have secrets from each other? That is the inference I shall draw if you refuse," said Bertha, provokingly.