"And you wish to be married?" asked the mother, raising her head quickly.
"Why, yes; but we do not now look upon marriage quite as you do."
The mother saw from Lucienne's smile that she would be contending with a fixed idea, and she felt that the hour for discussion was badly chosen. She kept silence.
"I am grateful to you," continued the young girl. Then after a moment of hesitation:
"Nevertheless, you had another reason besides obeying my father when you agreed to come here—here to receive M. von Farnow."
She let her eyes wander round the room, and brought them back to the woman with smooth hair—that worn-out and suffering woman—who was her mother. There was no hesitation.
"Yes," she said.
"I was sure of it. Can you tell me what it is?"
"Presently."
"Before M. von Farnow?"