Sabine Baring-Gould

“ Dear child, I don’t like to think even of parting with her.’ The old lady’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Nonsense, Louisa,’ said Miss Pengelly, ‘I have lived a great part of my life in France, and like it well. I dare say I would find it dull in England if I were to return to it. One can live anywhere and be happy if one does one’s duty and has a clear conscience, and the digestion be all right. You will have to get Fairbrother to retire from business and come and live near Nantes. ”

“ The baron was left in the sitting-room with Jacquetta, who became alarmed, and gave an appealing look to her mother to stay—and with Ponce, Aunt Betsy’s fat black pug, which, with its eyes nearly starting out of its head, sat like a heraldic monster on a gate-post, upon a stool in the middle of the room, looking knowingly, interestedly, first at the baron, then at Jacquetta
When Mrs Fairbrother entered the little back room to write her letter, she found Aunt Betsy there; she had given her orders to Jacqueline her factotum, and had not returned to the drawing-room. ”

“ The young people will not mind his presence. He is only a dog.’
‘Only a dog, yes—but such a dog. I won’t have Ponce disparaged. Take care that I don’t leave Champclair to him.’ Miss Pengelly laughed. ”

“ I must and will have her, or perish. I will make one more appeal to my mother—one final and terrible. If she still refuses me—then nothing will remain but——’
‘But what, M. de Montcontour?’
‘Do no not ask further, Mademoiselle. ”