“‘Yvonne, you have given your word to another? Without your mother knowing it? To whom? Answer!’
“‘To my cousin Henri,’ answered Yvonne.
“Mme. de Grojean breathed again: ‘To your cousin Henri! But he is only a child-sweetheart, my dear daughter; every one has that in her life. Now you must act like a woman. That was not in earnest. Henri will give you back your word!’
“‘But I shall not take it back!’ said Yvonne.
“‘What are you thinking of! Your cousin Henri—nothing but an employee at the Riçois bank, with no substantial situation and with no future; do you compare him with Monsieur Rowrer, for whom, besides, you have a sentiment? Avow it!—it is nothing to blush for.’
“‘I do not blush for it,’ Yvonne said; ‘but I have a sentiment for Henri also; and, moreover, he has my word. If he is not rich, he will work. Monsieur Rowrer is too rich! What an opinion Henri would have of me if he thought I would marry another just because he is worth millions, and would abandon him because he is poor! Surely he would believe so! I would never dare look him in the face. Henri counts on me,—I shall be his wife!’”
“Oh, brave little Yvonne!” said grandma. “Did she say that?”
“Yes, grandma, she said that; and she was radiant with beauty as she said it, I can assure you. ‘My dear Ethel,’ she told me afterward, ‘you see there is nothing to wound Monsieur Rowrer’s self-love. Tell him I have the greatest esteem for him, and would have been so glad to call you my sister, Ethel. But what would you have done in my place?’
“Yvonne must have seen in my looks how deeply I was moved, and how much I admired her.”
“What about the family council—what did it say?” grandma asked.