Honoré de Balzac

“ To a passionate man, every woman is worth what she costs him; now, Savinien foresaw a struggle, efforts and uncertainties which were already making this young girl dear to him; he wanted to win her. Perhaps our feelings obey the laws of Nature upon the duration of her creations; a long life has a long childhood!
The next morning, on rising, both Ursule and Savinien thought of the same thing. ”

“ I will not have any other for wife than you. You have all the distinction that I wish for in her who is to bear my name. The education you have received and the dignity of your heart place you on a level with the most exalted positions. But I mistrust myself too much to try to portray you to yourself, I can only love you. ”

“ And so, in a century in which ranks are leveled, in which the rage for equality places all individuals on a level and threatens everything, even military subordination, the last entrenchment of power in France; in which, consequently, the passions have no other obstacles to overcome than personal antipathies or the want of balance between fortunes, the obstinacy of an old Bretonne and Doctor Minoret’s dignity raised barriers between these two lovers that were fated, as in bygone times, less to destroy than to strengthen love. ”

“ A few moments after, she went down to the garden and there found her guardian, to whom she gave Savinien’s letter to read. Both sat down on the bench, under the clump of climbing plants, opposite the Chinese pavilion; Ursule waiting for some remark from the old man, and the old man reflecting much too long a time for an impatient girl. ”

“ I have felt the value of this beautiful soul which reveals itself in the slightest things about you. That is what gives me the courage to ask you, if you do not yet love anyone, to let me prove to you by my attentions and my conduct that I am worthy of you. ”

“ Her piety increased, she went to mass every morning, for she firmly believed that her dreams were a favor from God. Alarmed at the ravages caused by this lovesickness, on Ursule’s birthday the doctor promised to take her to Toulon to see the departure of the Algerian expedition, without informing Savinien, who was to take part in it. The justice of the peace and the curé kept secret the object of the doctor’s journey, which appeared to be undertaken for Ursule’s health, and which very much puzzled the Minoret heirs. ”