But her voice also seemed strange; in Jeanne’s ears it sounded louder. Her old heartache came upon her once more, as when an injury had been done her; and unnerved by the presence of what was unknown and horrible to her, divining, however, that she was breathing an atmosphere of falsehood, she burst into sobs.
“No, no, I entreat you! You left me all alone; and oh! I’ve been so miserable!”
“But I’m back again, my darling. Don’t weep any more; I’ve come home!”
“Oh no, no! it’s all over now! I don’t wish for you any more! Oh, I waited and waited, and have been so wretched!”
Hélène took hold of the child again, and gently sought to draw her to her bosom; but she resisted stubbornly, plaintively exclaiming:
“No, no; it will never be the same! You are not the same!”
“What! What are you talking of, child?”
“I don’t know; you are not the same.”
“Do you mean to say that I don’t love you any more?”
“I don’t know; you are no longer the same! Don’t say no. You don’t feel the same! It’s all over, over, over. I wish to die!”