'You are bound to keep it, especially as all your friends wish the
marriage, and think that it will be good for you. Annette Lolme's
friends wished her not to marry. It is my duty to tell you, Marie,
that if you break your faith to M. Urmand, you will commit a very
grievous sin, and you will commit it with your eyes open.'

'If Annette Lolme might change her mind because her lover had not
got as much money as people wanted, I am sure I may change mine
because I don't love a man.'

'Annette did what her friends advised her.'

'Then a girl must always do what her friends tell her? If I don't
marry M. Urmand, I sha'n't be wicked for breaking my promise, but
for disobeying Uncle Michel.'

'You will be wicked in every way,' said the priest.

'No, M. le Cure. If I had married M. Urmand, I know I should be
wicked to leave him, and I would do my best to live with him and
make him a good wife. But I have found out in time that I can't
love him; and therefore I am sure that I ought not to marry him, and
I won't.'

There was much more said between them, but M. le Cure Gondin was not
able to prevail in the least. He tried to cajole her, and he tried
to persuade by threats, and he tried to conquer her by gratitude and
affection towards her uncle. But he could not prevail at all.