Милий друг
Madame De Marelle
"Howunkindyouaretome;howharshlyyouspeak!WhathaveIdonetoyou?YoudonotknowwhatIhavesufferedforyou!"
Hemuttered:"Areyougoingtobeginthatagain?"
Shestoodnearhimawaitingasmile,awordofencouragement,tocastherselfintohisarms,andwhispered:"Youneednothavewonmetotreatmethus;youmighthaveleftmevirtuousandhappy.Doyourememberwhatyousaidtomeinthechurchandhowyouforcedmetoenterthishouse?Andnowthisisthewayyouspeaktome,receiveme!MyGod,myGod,howyoumaltreatme!"
Hestampedhisfootandsaidviolently:"Enough,besilent!Icanneverseeyouamomentwithouthearingthatrefrain.Youwerematurewhenyougaveyourselftome.Iammuchobligedtoyou;Iaminfinitelygrateful,butIneednotbetiedtoyourapron-stringsuntilIdie!YouhaveahusbandandIawife.Neitherofusisfree;itwasallacaprice,andnowitisatanend!"
Shesaid:"Howbrutalyouare,howcoarseandvillainous!No,Iwasnolongerayounggirl,butIhadneverloved,neverwaveredinmydignity."
Heinterruptedher:"Iknowit,youhavetoldmethattwentytimes;butyouhavehadtwochildren."
Shedrewbackasifshehadbeenstruck:"Oh,Georges!"Andpressingherhandstoherheart,sheburstintotears.
