"Our talks are simple."
"But, when I came in, I saw that you were talking confidentially, intimately, intimately and eagerly ... and that he was holding your hand, holding your two hands."
"Yes, you saw that: he was consoling me."
"That's exactly what he mustn't do. That's exactly what he mustn't be allowed to do. Oh, Mathilde, I am an old woman and I am your mother, especially now that you have no mother of your own, and I am Addie's mother ... and I understand, I understand everything ... because I myself have suffered so much...."
"Addie's coming downstairs, Mamma."
"Promise me, dear ... to be careful."
"I ... I will be careful."
"And forgive me, forgive me for everything that I have dared to say. Kiss me. Oh, I long so intensely ... for you and Addie to be happy again!"
She took Mathilde in her arms, passionately, and kissed her twice, three times.
Addie entered.