Explore "The Parisians, Book IX" by Edward Bulwer-lytton on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When they were alone, Madame Rameau took Isaura's hand in both her own, and, gazing wistfully into her face, said, "No wonder you are so loved -- yours is the beauty that sinks into the hearts and rests there. I prize my boy more, now that I have seen you. But, oh, Mademoiselle! pardon me -- do not withdraw your hand -- pardon the mother who comes from the sick- bed of her only son and asks if you will assist to save him! A word from you is life or death to him!"
"Nay, nay, do not speak thus, Madame; your son knows how much I value, how sincerely I return, his friendship; but -- but," she paused a moment, and continued sadly and with tearful eyes -- "I have no heart to give to him-to any one."