Is that why God has so punished me?
What I ask of you is to marry as your father wishes, to cherish him in your heart, not to sacrifice him to your own happiness, but to make him the centre of your home.

Before losing my sight, I wrote him all my wishes, and I know he will execute them.

I enjoined him to keep his property intact and in his own hands; not that I distrust you, my Modeste, for a moment, but who can be sure of a son-in-law?
Ah! my daughter, look at me; was I reasonable?
One glance of the eye decided my life.

Beauty, so often deceitful, in my case spoke true; but even were it the same with you, my poor child, swear to me that you will let your father inquire into the character, the habits, the heart, and the previous life of the man you distinguish with your love--if, by chance, there is such a man." "I will never marry without the consent of my father," answered Modeste.
"You see, my darling," said Madame Mignon after a long pause, "that if I am dying by inches through Bettina's wrong-doing, your father would not survive yours, no, not for a moment.

I know him; he would put a pistol to his head,--there could be no life, no happiness on earth for him." Modeste walked a few steps away from her mother, but immediately came back.
"Why did you leave me ?" demanded Madame Mignon.
"You made me cry, mamma," answered Modeste.
"Ah, my little darling, kiss me.