"She has told me that she loves you."
"I was aware of that.... I am sorry for you. I regret the possible consequences, but what am I to do? No doubt it is a deplorable business, but we are not guilty, neither she nor I. When we discovered our danger, we warned the Baron. Wasn't that acting correctly?"
"I'm not complaining of your conduct now, but I must protect the honour of my daughter, of her child, of the family! Surely you don't want to ruin us?"
The poor old woman cried bitterly. She had put all her eggs in one basket: the aristocratic alliance of her daughter, which was to rehabilitate her own family. She roused my compassion, and I succumbed to her sorrow.
"Command me," I said; "I will do whatever you wish."
"Leave this place, go away from here, I implore you."
"I will do so, but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"That you will ask Miss Matilda to return to her family."
"Is that an accusation?"