I never got to say goodbye.
To my daughter-in-law, whom I have never met:
I do not know how you have come to marry my son- Whether the good Monsieur Gillenormand had some influence over the union of your two souls, whether you two are marrying for love. I cannot promise that I know my son is a good ma to marry; my late wife had told me that her father had married twice and cared later for his wives. And yet, I will say that I believe he’s a good man- Our contact is scarce, but I have seen him. Neither he nor M. Gillenormand knew of such. He is generous, and he is passionate; my knowledge is… Limited, so I cannot say whether singular traits of M. Gillenormand have transferred to my son. I will, nonetheless, testify on behalf of Marius.
Should you be married at the influence of Monsieur Gillenormand, I hoped you may hear that so that you might have some good omen towards the future. He’s an intelligent boy, a good man. I believe that he’ll go at whatever lengths necessary and good to care for you.
Should you have married for love- Know that I give you my blessing; his mother and I married for the same cause, and she meant the world and more to me. Marriage is a blessed thing.
I regret never having met you; I regret having barely met my son. May you both be blessed in life. I hope you’ll be good for him..