You are in the waves, and I on the shore. If you are so weak at heart,
you must not see this man any more."
"But he will call."
"I will see him for you."
"What will you tell him, my heart?--tell him that I am ill, perhaps?"
"No; I will tell him the truth,--that you do not wish to see him."
"That is hard;--he will wonder."
"I think not," said Mary, resolutely; "and furthermore, I shall say to
him, that, while Madame de Frontignac is at the cottage, it will not be
agreeable for us to receive calls from him."
"Mary, _ma chere_, you astonish me!"
"My dear friend," said Mary, "it is the only way. This man--this cruel,
wicked, deceitful man--must not be allowed to trifle with you in this
way. I will protect you."
And she rose up with flashing eye and glowing cheek, looking as her
father looked when he protested against the slave-trade.
"Thou art my Saint Catharine," said Virginie, rising up, excited by
Mary's enthusiasm, "and hast the sword as well as the palm; but, dear
saint, don't think so very, very badly of him;--he has a noble nature;
he has the angel in him."
"The greater his sin," said Mary; "he sins against light and love."
"But I think his heart is touched,--I think he is sorry.
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