Madame--mademoiselle--those sacrifices appear little to me; will seem nothing; will never be mentioned, or even alluded to after this day, if you, on your part, will lay me under a far heavier obligation, if in short"-- here the contemner of things unsubstantial reopened his coat, and brought his ribbon to light again--"if you, madame, will accept me for your son-in-law--if you, mademoiselle, will take me for your husband." The baroness and her daughter looked at one another in silence.
"Is it a jest ?" inquired the former of the latter.
"Can you think so?
Answer Monsieur Perrin.

He has just done us a kind office, mother." "I shall remember it.

Monsieur, permit me to regret that having lately won our gratitude and esteem, you have taken this way of modifying those feelings.

But after all," she added with gentle courtesy, "we may well put your good deeds against this--this error in judgment.

The balance is in your favor still, provided you never return to this topic.