"Gilberte's husband! People don't marry ..."
"Silence, mother!"
He was standing before her, with his features convulsed. Another word and he would have closed her lips by mean force. She was afraid of him. He went on, dropping his voice:
"You are right, we had better not continue this explanation in her presence. Any words other than words of veneration I look upon as an insult to the girl I love."
He pushed her towards the door sternly. But Gilberte barred their road:
"No, Guillaume, not like that. ... If we must part, let it not be with angry words. ... I love both of you too well, yes, both of you, madame," she declared, in the voice that no one could resist.
Her gentleness was stronger than Guillaume's violence. He made no further movement. Mme. de la Vaudraye allowed herself to be led back into the room. Gil-
