"Poor wretch, how he must suffer! A person must have a good deal of courage to endure such torture uncomplainingly. Such courage, combined with such amiability of character, as well as quiet dignity, at least indicates nobility of heart."
Seeing how completely overcome Onésime seemed to be, Yvon asked, in rather more friendly tones:
"How am I to interpret your silence? You do not answer me."
"What can I say, monsieur?"
"You confess it, then?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"And is my daughter ignorant of this love?"
"Ignorant of it! Why, monsieur, I would rather die than reveal it to her. I thought I had concealed my secret in the depths of my innermost soul, so I have no idea how you can have discovered what I have almost succeeded in hiding from myself."
"Why did you not endeavour to overcome a feeling that could only make you unhappy?"
"Believing every one ignorant of it, I abandoned myself to it with delight. Up to this time I have only known misfortune. This love is the first happiness of my life, as it will be the only consolation of the dreary destiny that awaits me."