“But was not that understood?” asked Serge, gayly’ “I thought so.  You must have seen that I have not been seeking a dwelling for my wife and myself.  If you had not made the offer to me, I should have asked you to let me stay with you.”

Madame Desvarennes broke into such an outburst of joy that she astonished Panine.  It was then only that in that pallor, in that sudden trembling, in that changed voice, he understood, the immensity of the mother’s love for her daughter.

“I have everything to gain by that arrangement,” continued he.  “My wife will be happy at not leaving you, and you will be pleased at my not having taken away your daughter.  You will both like me better, and that is all I wish.”

“How good you are in deciding thus, and how I thank you for it,” resumed Madame Desvarennes.  “I feared you would have ideas of independence.”

“I should have been happy to sacrifice them to you, but I have not even that merit.”

All that Serge had said had been so open and plain, and expressed with such sweetness that, little by little, Madame Desvarennes’s prejudices disappeared.  He took possession of her as he had done of Micheline, and as he did of every one whom he wished to conquer.  His charm was irresistible.  He seized on one by the eyes and the ears.  Naturally fascinating, moving, captivating, bold, he always preserved his artless and tender ways, which made him resemble a young girl.

“I am going to tell you how we shall manage,” said the mistress.  “Foreseeing my daughter’s marriage, I have had my house divided into two distinct establishments.  They say that life in common with a mother-in-law is objectionable to a son-in-law, therefore I wish you to have a home of your own.  I know that an old face like mine frightens young lovers.  I will come to you when you invite me.  But even when I am shut up in my own apartments I shall be with my daughter; I shall breathe the same air; I shall hear her going and coming, singing, laughing, and I shall say to myself, ‘It is all right, she is happy.’  That is all I ask.  A little corner, whence I can share her life.”

Serge took her hand with effusion.

“Don’t be afraid; your daughter will not leave you.”

Madame Desvarennes, unable to contain her feelings, opened her arms, and Serge fell on her breast, like a true son.

“Do you know, I am going to adore you!” cried Madame Desvarennes, showing Panine a face beaming with happiness.

“I hope so,” said the young man, gayly.

Madame Desvarennes became thoughtful.

“What a strange thing life is!” resumed she.  “I did not want you for a son-in-law, and now you are behaving so well toward me that I am full of remorse.  Oh, I see now what a dangerous man you are, if you captivate other women’s hearts as you have caught mine.”

She looked at the Prince fixedly, and added, in her clear commanding voice, with a shade of gayety: