human
Confess the truth, she said to her;
gpt
I assure you that it is not, mother,
human
I assure you that it is, my daughter. Well, come; would you like me to speak to Julia, to try and reason with her? I would prefer giving her a good whipping; however--!
gpt
Poor, dear mother, rejoined Clotilde,
human
By all means, daughter; tell me everything, but don't make me cry, I beg of you! Is what you have to tell very sad?
gpt
Not very gay.
human
Mon Dieu! But no matter; go on.
gpt
In the first place, mother, I must confess that I would personally feel no scruple in marrying again--
human
I should think not! That would be carrying it just a little too far!
gpt
As to Julia--whom I adore, who loves me sincerely, and who loves you very much too, whatever you may say--
human
Satisfied of the contrary, said the baroness.
gpt
But no matter; proceed.
human
As to Julia, I have more confidence than you have in her good sense and in her good heart; notwithstanding the exalted affection she has preserved for her father, I am sure that she would understand, that she would respect my determination, and that she would not love me one whit the less, especially if her step-father did not happen to be personally objectionable to her; for you are aware of the extreme violence of her sympathies and of her antipathies--
gpt
I am aware of it! said the baroness, bitterly.
human
Well, you must give her a list of your gentlemen friends, the dear little thing, and she will pick out her own choice for you.
gpt
There is no need of that, good mother, said Clotilde.
human
The choice has already been made by the mainly interested party, and I am certain that it would not be disagreeable to Julia.
gpt
Well, then, my darling, everything is for the best.
human
Alas! no. I am going to tell you something that covers me with confusion. Among all the men we know, the only one who--the only one I like, in fact, is also the only one who has never been in love with me.
gpt
He must be a savage, then! he cannot but be a savage. But who is he?
human
I have told you, dear mother, the only one of our friends who is not in love with me--
gpt
Bah! who is that? Your cousin Pierre?
human
No, but you are not--
gpt
Monsieur de Lucan! exclaimed the baroness.
human
It could not fail to be so! The very flower of the flock! Mon Dieu, my darling, how very similar our tastes are, both of us! He is charming, your Lucan, he is charming. Kiss me, dear--don't look any farther, don't look any farther; he is positively just the man for us.
gpt
But, mother, since he does not want me!
human
Good! he does not want you now! What nonsense! what do you know about it? Did you ask him? Besides, it is impossible, my darling; you were made for each other in all eternity. He is charming, _distingue_, well-bred, rich, intelligent, everything, in a word--everything.
gpt
Everything, mother, except in love with me.