ght I have conquered from your
despair--that of watching more closely over your needs, your pleasures,
your life even? Women have one heart always on their side, always
abounding in excuses--their mother's; you never knew any mother but my
mother, who would have brought you back to me. But how is it that you
never guessed that I had for you the heart of a mother, both of my
mother and of your own? Yes, dear, my affection is neither mean nor
grasping; it is one of those which will never let any annoyance last
long enough to pucker the brow of the child it worships. What can you
think of the companion of your childhood, Honorine, if you believe
him capable of accepting kisses given in trembling, of living between
delight and anxiety? Do not fear that you will be exposed to the laments
of a suppliant passion; I would not want you back until I felt certain
of my own strength to leave you in perfect freedom.

"'Your solitary pride has exaggerated the difficulties. You may, if you
will, look on at the life of a brother, or of a father, without either
suffering or joy; but you will find neither mockery nor indifference,
nor have any doubt as to his intentions. The warmth of the atmosphere
in which you live will be always equable and genial, without tempests,
without a possible squall. If, later, when you feel secure that you
are as much at home as in your own little house, you desire to try some
other elements of happiness, pleasures, or amusements, you can expand
their circle at your will. The tenderness of a mother knows neither
contempt nor pity. What is it? Love without desire. Well, in me
admiration shall hide every sentiment in which you might see an offence.

"'Thus, living side by side, we may both be magnanimous. In you the
kindness of a sister, the affectionate thoughtfulness of a friend, will
satisfy the ambition of him who wishes to be your life's companion; and
you may measure his tenderness by the care he will take to conceal
it. Neither you nor I will be jealous of the past, for we may each
acknowledge that the other has sense enough to look only straight
forward.

"'Thus you will be at home in your new house exactly as you are in the
Rue Saint-Maur; unapproachable, alone, occupied as you please, living by
your own law; but having in addition the legitimate protection, of
which you are now exacting the most chivalrous labors of love, with the
consideration which lends so much lustre to a woman, and the fortune