I understood her.
My avowal, by placing her on her guard, had made her avoid opportunities of being alone with me.
Irene felt considerably aggrieved at this apparent coldness; the princess naturally looked upon me as the primary cause of her daughter's grief, and she loved her with mad devotion.
Madame de Fersen had therefore good cause to dislike me. I resolved to end Irene's unhappiness.
I took advantage of a moment when I was alone with Madame de Fersen to say to her:
"Madame, forgive an insensate avowal. I regret it the more that it has not been alien to the sorrow and suffering of poor little Irene. I pledge you my word that I will never again say a single word which might trouble your maternal joys and thus expose me to forfeit your good graces which I so highly value."
Madame de Fersen gave me her hand, with charming gratitude, and said:
"I believe you, and thank you with all my heart, for you will thus no longer separate me from my daughter!"