O Mathilde, I never want you to feel the humiliation of finding yourself stronger than the man you love.

That is why I left your father, and my justification is his present happiness.
This inferior little person he has married, she does as well.

Any one would have done as well." Mathilde was puzzled by her mother's evident conviction that the explanation was complete.

She asked after a moment: "But what was it that made you think at first that you did love him, Mama ?" "Just what makes you think you love this boy--youth, flattery, desire to love.

He was magnificently handsome, your father.