The teachings and miseries of the
past were not lost to me!" And as simply as if she were telling
the most natural thing in the world, she described the struggle
she had undertaken against the world, strong in her faith in
Pascal and in his love.
"Ah, you are a noble and courageous girl!" exclaimed Madame
Ferailleur. "You are worthy of my son, and you will proudly guard
our honest name!"
For some little time already the obstinate old lady had been
struggling against the sympathetic emotion that filled her heart,
and big tears were coursing down her wrinkled cheeks.
Unable to restrain herself any longer, she now threw both arms
around Marguerite's neck, and drew her toward her in a long
embrace, murmuring: "Marguerite, my daughter! Ah! how unjust my
prejudices were!"
It might be thought that Pascal was transported with joy on
hearing this, but no: the lines of care on his forehead deepened,
as he said: "Happiness is so near! Why must a final test, another
humiliation, separate us from it?"
But Marguerite now felt strong enough to meet even martyrdom with
a smile. "Speak, Pascal!" said she, "don't you see that it is
almost ten o'clock?"
He hesitated; there was grief in his eyes and his breath came
quick and hard, as he resumed: "For your sake and mine, we must
conquer, at any price. This is the only reason that can justify
the horrible expedient I have to suggest.
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