"To love when someone loves you, when one spares you every struggle, every annoyance, smoothes your life for you like a wide road where nothing stumbles across your way, that is a simple matter! How does one prove one's love? To love when one is deserted, forgotten, left alone, struggling with every difficulty, or even when one's heart is trampled upon,--yes, that is indeed to love." "That is to lower oneself. I have my pride, my dignity--everyone understands it for oneself in a different way." And convinced of her own right, she asked: "Is this the mission with which my husband has entrusted you?" Almost roughly, as if he took an unconscious delight in ill-treating her, he answered: "No, Madame. Albert gave me no mission of reconciliation." "Ah!" "I have another mission to fulfill," he added without noticing this exclamation which might indicate vexation. "You are taking a great deal upon yourself." As if to accentuate these words, Mme. Molay-Norrois entered the drawing-room. She still had her hat on and was carrying her parasol. Hearing of M. Lagier's visit, she came in without delay to bring help to her daughter, whom she still treated as a little girl, and all of whose problems she willingly took upon herself. From that time on, the interview was doubtful, but it had to be carried to a conclusion, once it was begun. Philippe, about to give an explanation of his friend's wishes, realized the audacity, almost the impropriety of broaching this subject directly. However, he decided he would do so. After all he was only an intermediary. Then the circumstances required this solution, which was, after all, the most reasonable. He explained to the two women that separation would necessarily raise the delicate question of the custody of the children. "Albert shall not take them from me," said Elizabeth resolutely. "He will certainly not take them from you. But he wants to have them for several months each year." "Several months?" "Yes. And look at the unfortunate position of those children, to be shared, and to be dragged about in two directions." "No, no, I shall not share them. He has forgotten us. Henceforth he can leave us in peace." She did not require her mother's help to defend her rights. Philippe Lagier thought this the psychological moment for presenting the proposition of his friend. "Despite his sorrow, he will renounce these paternal rights; he will submit to all your demands, but only on one condition." "And that is?" asked the women. "You know that a divorce or a legal separation can easily be obtained without stating the actual reasons, but merely by presenting an insulting letter prepared to fit the case, or to bring about a departure from the conjugal home. It is sufficient that the two parties are agreed, both desirous of avoiding a scandal, and not wishing to furnish food for gossip." "What condition?" repeated Elizabeth, who could not imagine. He leisurely dilated upon the customary precautions.