"Yes, of course we have thought it over. Poor child! Both Olivier and I are incapable of rearing it. It needs a woman's care. I thought perhaps one of our friends would like to help us…."
Madame Arnaud could hardly breathe.
Christophe said:
"I wanted to talk to you about it. And then Cécile came in just as we were talking about it. When she heard of our difficulty, when she saw the child, she was so moved, she seemed so delighted, she said: 'Christophe….'"
Madame Arnaud's heart stopped; she did not hear what else he said: there was a mist in front of her eyes. She was fain to cry out:
"No, no. Give him to me…."
Christophe went on speaking. She did not hear what he was saying. But she controlled herself. She thought of what Cécile had told her, and she thought:
"Her need is greater than mine. I have my dear Arnaud … and … and everything … and besides, I am older…."
And she smiled and said:
"It is well."