word to me, though you could not bring yourself to say it to him.'

'I can't say that word, uncle, either to you or to him.'

'And why the devil not?' said Michel Voss, who was beginning to be
tired of being eloquent.

'I would rather stay at home with you and my aunt.'

'O, bother!'

'Some girls stay at home always. All girls do not get married. I
don't want to be taken to Basle.'

'This is all nonsense,' said Michel, getting up. 'If you're a good
girl, you will do as you are told.'

'It would not be good to be married to a man if I do not love him.'

'But why shouldn't you love him? He's just the man that all the
girls always love. Why don't you love him?'

As Michel Voss asked this last question, there was a tone of anger
in his voice. He had allowed his niece considerable liberty, and
now she was unreasonable. Marie, who, in spite of her devotion to
her uncle, was beginning to think that she was ill-used by this
tone, made no reply. 'I hope you haven't been falling in love with
any one else,' continued Michel.

'No,' said Marie, in a low whisper.