Oh, I swear on my life, on the life of my children, oh, believe me!" Goujet was shaking his head.

Gervaise said slowly: "Monsieur Goujet, you know me well.

You know that I do not lie.

On my word of honor, it never happened, and it never will, do you understand?
Never! I'd be the lowest of the low if it ever happened, and I wouldn't deserve the friendship of an honest man like you." She seemed so sincere that he took her hand and made her sit down again.
He could breathe freely; his heart rejoiced.

This was the first time he had ever held her hand like this.