And before
Mathieu's eyes there likewise passed the spectre of Seraphine, with the
fierce and pain-fraught face of one who is racked and killed by insatiate
desire.
"Well, excuse me for having ventured to stop you, Monsieur Froment,"
Celeste concluded; "but I am very, very pleased at having met you again."
He was still looking at her; and as he quitted her he said, with the
indulgence born of his optimism: "May you keep happy since you are happy.
Happiness must know what it does."
Nevertheless, Mathieu remained disturbed, as he thought of the apparent
injustice of impassive nature. The memory of his Marianne, struck down by
such deep grief, pining away through the impious quarrels of her sons,
returned to him. And as Ambroise at last came in and gayly embraced him,
after receiving Celeste's thanks, he felt a thrill of anguish, for the
decisive moment which would save or wreck the family was now at hand.
Indeed, Denis, after inviting himself and Mathieu to lunch, promptly
plunged into the subject.
"We are not here for the mere pleasure of lunching with you," said he;
"mamma is ill, did you know it?"
"Ill?" said Ambroise.
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