"Then you renounce for ever your position in society, and your fortune?"
"Yes."
"You also renounce the protection of your father, who is your natural guardian, and has every human and divine claim on you—you renounce his affection?"
"Yes," she murmured in a low voice.
"Then it is now my turn;" and bowing to the general, he continued, "Sir, whatever may be the hatred that sunders us—whatever may happen at a later date—the honour of your daughter must remain pure and unspotted."
"In order to secure that result," the general said bitterly, "someone must consent to marry her."
"Yes. Well, I, the Count de Prébois Crancé, have the honour of asking you for her hand."
The general fell back in amazement.
"Do you really ask that seriously?" he said.
"Yes."