Jeanne flashed a glance brilliant as lightning:
"You could have told me that you had just asked for Micheline's hand!"
"That would have been brutal!"
"It would have been honest! But it would have necessitated an explanation, and you don't like explaining. You have preferred leaving me to guess this news from the acts of those around me, and the talk of strangers."
All these words had been spoken by Jeanne with feverish vivacity. The sentences were as cutting as strokes from a whip. The young girl's agitation was violent; her cheeks were red, and her breathing was hard and stifled with emotion. She stopped for a moment; then, turning toward the Prince, and looking him full in the face, she said:
"And so, this marriage is decided?"
Serge answered,
"Yes."
It was fainter than a whisper. As if she could not believe it, Jeanne repeated:
"You are going to marry Micheline?"