Anne Douglas Sedgwick

“ Because,” said Alix—and her voice, tearless now, dropped to an iron note—“that will never be.”
Poor madame Vervier and her hopes! Giles continued to play her hand as best he could. “You wouldn't be made to marry in England against your will. You might meet someone you cared for enough. How can you tell?”
“Cared for enough! To leave Maman! To leave France!” Alix held her head high and stared before her, facing this confirmation of her fears. And suddenly, her last words echoing too unbearably in her heart, he saw her lips tremble; part; and the tears, at last, helplessly ran down her cheeks. ”

“ We think for ourselves; but you, if you are a girl, may only think for yourself when you are married.”
“I like England better in that,” said Alix. “One should have a voice.”
“Perhaps your mother feels that you'll learn to have a right to a voice by being in England.”
“I do not think so,” said Alix. “I do not think she believes in having a voice. That is another great difference. You believe that one learns to have a voice by being given freedom.”
“You can't be free here, Alix; I see that for myself,” Giles said, looking at her and wondering how far her thought could follow. ”

“ Madame Vervier must feel, as he felt, that such resource, such understanding in Alix could only rise from the child's intuition of how sharp was her mother's need. She stood beside her mother. She helped her.
“Maman is going to take charge of my kitten while I am away,” she said calmly to André.
If Alix could help her mother, Giles could help her. This was an opportunity. “But why shouldn't you bring your kitten to England, Alix?” he said. “There's no quarantine for cats. You could carry it easily in a basket.” ”