232
THE NEW CARTHAGE
was necessary! I should lie were I to say the cure was easy … Laurent, if you swear to me that you really love Henriette, and that she is the chosen of your flesh and of your spirit, I am still ready to give her to you! In doing otherwise, I should be twice a bad mother …"
For his sole response, the boy threw his arms about his clairvoyant friend and confessed to her at length his contradictory desires and griefs.