perform, and you should not make it so difficult.'

'But if I don't want to be settled?' said Marie. 'Who cares for the
neighbours? If you and I understand each other, is not that
enough?'

'I care for the neighbours,' said Michel Voss with energy.

'And must I marry a man I don't care a bit for, because of the
neighbours, Uncle Michel?' asked Marie, with something approaching
to indignation in her voice.

Michel Voss perceived that it was of no use for him to carry on the
argument. He entertained a half-formed idea that he did not quite
understand the objections so strongly urged by his niece; that there
was something on her mind that she would not tell him, and that
there might be cruelty in urging the matter upon her; but, in
opposition to this, there was his assured conviction that it was his
duty to provide well and comfortably for his niece, and that it was
her duty to obey him in acceding to such provision as he might make.
And then this marriage was undoubtedly a good marriage--a match that
would make all the world declare how well Michel Voss had done for
the girl whom he had taken under his protection. It was a marriage
that he could not bear to see go out of the family. It was not
probable that the young linen-merchant, who was so well to do in the
world, and who, no doubt, might have his choice in larger places
than Granpere--it was not probable, Michel thought, that he would
put up with many refusals. The girl would lose her chance, unless
he, by his firmness, could drive this folly out of her. And yet how
could he be firm, when he was tempted to throw his great arms about