"Society should demand nothing of the man who expects nothing from it," Sir Ralph replied. "As for the contagion of example, I do not believe in it, monsieur; too much energy is required to break with the world, and too much suffering to acquire that energy. So let this unknown happiness flow on in peace, for it costs nobody anything, and conceals itself for fear of making others envious. Go, young man, follow the course of your destiny; have friends, a profession, a reputation, a fatherland. As for me, I have Indiana. Do not break the chains that bind you to society, respect its laws if they protect you, accept its judgments if they are fair to you: but if some day it calumniates you and spurns you, have pride enough to find a way to do without it." "Yes," said I, "a pure heart will enable us to endure exile; but, to make us love it, one must have such a companion as yours." "Ah!" he said, "if you knew how I pity this world of yours, which looks down on me!" The next day I left Ralph and Indiana; one embraced me, the other shed a few tears. "Adieu," they said to me; "return to the world; if some day it banishes you, remember our Indian cottage." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Indiana, by George Sand