"But, Bertha, you will not be so unreasonable," urged Madeleine.
"Why not, when you set me the example? Why should I not be unreasonable and obstinate when you teach me how to be so? You know, Madeleine, you have been my model all my life long, and it is too late to choose another."
Madeleine was silenced, but Bertha ran on petulantly, this time turning to Maurice.
"How can you look so happy when Madeleine says she does not mean to marry you? I never saw anything like you men! One would think you had no feeling."
Maurice replied: "It is so much happiness to know who possesses Madeleine's heart, that even if she remain unshaken in her resolution, I could not be miserable."
"And you will not mind leaving her and going to Brittany? Your plans are not to be altered?"
"Not unless she will alter them by consenting to accompany me. You know that my grandmother insists upon returning, and she is inexorable when she has once made up her mind."
"Like somebody else!" said Bertha, who was decidedly irritated.
Maurice resumed: "And it is my duty not only to protect her, but to watch over my poor father."
"And you will really, really go?" questioned Bertha, doubtingly.