What in similar circumstances could Farron do?
Adelaide always resented his asking how things were going, but how could he help being anxious?
How could any one rest content on a hillside who had once been blown up by a volcano?
He might not have been any more content if he had stayed to dinner at his son-in-law's, as he had been asked to do.

The Farrons were alone.
Mathilde was going to a dinner, with a dance after.

She came into the dining-room to say good night and to promise to be home early, not to stay and dance.

She was not allowed two parties on successive nights, not because her health was anything but robust, but rather because her mother considered her too young for such vulgar excess.
When she had gone, Farron observed: "That child has a will of iron." "Vincent!" said his wife.

"She does everything I suggest to her." "Her will just now is to please you in everything.