"Alas! It is impossible," she murmured.
"Why impossible?"
"Do not ask me; do not oblige me to say it."
"But, on the contrary, I wish you to tell me."
She turned her head away, and in a voice that was scarcely perceptible, in a stifled sigh:
"My brother—"
"It is greatly on account of your brother that I wish this marriage."
Then, suddenly: "Do you think me the man to submit to prejudiced blockheads?"