“Don’t be too sure, though. There are certain serious, and, perhaps, insurmountable obstacles. I must speak to my daughter again. I will let your friend know of our final decision as soon as I can. Good-by, Monsieur.”
Lampron saw him to the street, and I heard their steps grow distant in the passage. A moment later Sylvestre returned and held out both hands to me, saying:
“Well, are you happy now?”
“Of course I am, to a certain extent.”
“‘To a certain extent’! Why, she loves you.”
“But the obstacles, Sylvestre!”
“Nonsense!”
“Perhaps insurmountable—those were his words.”
“Why, obstacles are the salt of all our joys. What a deal you young men want before you can be called happy! You ask Life for certainties, as if she had any to give you!”
And he began to discuss my fears, but could not quite disperse them, for neither of us could guess what the obstacles could be.