One could scarcely hope to modify her views even by the wisest and
most practical advice. The baron did not even think of attempting
to do so. He had known Madame d'Argeles for years; he had seen so
many proofs of her invincible energy and determination. She
possessed the distinguishing characteristic of her family in a
remarkable degree--that proverbial Chalusse obstinacy which Madame
Vantrasson had alluded to in her conversation with M. Fortunat.
She was silent for a moment, and then, in a firm tone she said:
"Still, I will follow your advice in part, baron. This evening I
will write to M. Patterson and request him to send for Wilkie. In
less than a fortnight I shall have sold my furniture and
disappeared. I shall remain poor. My fortune is not so large as
people suppose. No matter. My son is a man; he must learn to
earn his own living."
"My banking account is always at your disposal, Lia."
"Thanks, my friend, thanks a thousand times; but it will not be
necessary for me to accept your kind offer. When Wilkie was a
child I did not refuse. But now I would dig the ground with my
own hands, rather than give him a louis that came from you. You
think me full of contradictions! Perhaps I am. It is certain that
I am no longer what I was yesterday. This trouble has torn away
the bandage that covered my eyes. I can see my conduct clearly
now, and I condemn it.
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