"Reasons? He never condescends to give me any. He simply commands, and I must obey."
"I think you do well to obey in this instance," the Marquis said, in so significant a tone that his sister looked at him in surprise.
"Why? Have you heard anything against the Clermonts? They do not seem to be very brilliantly circumstanced pecuniarily, but they brought excellent letters of introduction, and they belong to a very ancient French family."
"Certainly; there is no doubt of that."
"Well, then, I do not understand you, Leon."
The Marquis moved his chair a little nearer, and laid his hand upon the Countess's arm: "Hortense, I am forced to open your eyes, for you seem utterly blind in this matter. You are desirous that Raoul should marry Hertha?"
"Desirous? Why, I rest all my hopes upon it. This marriage means wealth and splendour for Raoul, and for me the freedom I have so long desired. How can you ask such a question?"
"Then let me advise you not to encourage your son's intimacy with the Clermonts. I hear he is there every day, and--Frau von Nérac is a widow."
Héloïse smiled incredulously. "Héloïse von Nérac? She is not even pretty."
"But she is very dangerous."