"No; for both of us will then have trampled under foot our oaths and our duties," said Paula, interrupting De Morville.
"We will fly to the world's end, and——"
"And the first effervescence of love passed, the hatred and contempt we shall feel for each other will avenge those we have sacrificed. My dear De Morville, your reason wanders."
"What would you have me do?"
"Not perjure yourself; not hasten your mother's death."
"Renounce you! marry another! never—never!"
"Listen to me. I declare to you that I cannot love a man cowardly and perjured, not even if it were for my sake that he basely perjured himself. My self-love, as a woman, is satisfied when with you for a few moments passion has conquered duty. This is sufficing. You have sworn never to say a word which could induce me to forget my duty,—you will keep this oath."
"But——"
"I will keep it for you if you are ever tempted to break it."
"And this marriage?" said De Morville, with bitterness,—"this marriage, you advise me to consent to it, no doubt?"