You are just the kind of man I took you to be. After paying your numerous mistresses, you actually consent to pay me as if I were like them--without any feeling of disgust or realizing the difference in our situation. You have said that I asked too much, you have pleaded the fear of ridicule, but you could not understand that you were consenting to _buy_ me--_me_--your _wife_! You wished to possess me for a little, as a sort of variation to your usual list, although your heart must have told you that it was degrading to me to be placed on such a plane. You did not recoil from such an idea, but pursued it, just as you pursue them, and the more eagerly, because I was more expensive. But you have deceived yourself, not me. Not thus will you ever regain possession of your wife. Adieu, Monsieur! [_Throws the money in his face, and makes a haughty exit_.] ACT II. SCENE I. Madame de Sallus _alone in her drawing-room, as in_ Act I. _She is writing; she stops and looks at the clock. A servant announces_ Monsieur Jacques de Randol. JACQUES DE RANDOL [_after kissing_ Mme. de Sallus's _hand_] I trust you are well, Madame. MME. DE SALLUS Oh, yes, thank you. [_Exit servant_.] JACQUES DE RANDOL What is it all about? Your letter has completely upset me. I thought some accident had occurred, and I came immediately. MME. DE SALLUS [_looks at him steadfastly_] My dear Jacques, we must decide upon some course of action immediately. The important hour has come. JACQUES DE RANDOL [_surprised_] What do you mean? MME. DE SALLUS For two days I have undergone all the anguish that a woman's heart can endure. JACQUES DE RANDOL [_still more surprised_] What has happened? MME. DE SALLUS I am about to tell you, but I wish to do so with calmness and moderation lest you think me mad. That is the reason why I sent for you. JACQUES DE RANDOL You know that I am yours entirely. Tell me what I must do. MME. DE SALLUS I cannot live near him any longer. It is absolutely impossible. It is an hourly crucifixion. JACQUES DE RANDOL Near your husband? MME. DE SALLUS Yes, my husband. JACQUES DE RANDOL What has he done? MME. DE SALLUS It is necessary to revert to the other evening, after you took your leave. When we were alone he tried to make a jealous scene, with you as the subject. JACQUES DE RANDOL With me as the subject? MME. DE SALLUS Yes, a scene which proved to me that he had been watching us. JACQUES DE RANDOL How? MME. DE SALLUS He had been questioning a servant. JACQUES DE RANDOL Nothing more than that? MME. DE SALLUS No. That in itself, however, is not of much importance, for I believe he really likes you. But, after that, he told me of his love for me. Perhaps I was a little too insolent, too disdainful. I do not know exactly how far I went; but I found myself in such a perplexing, such a painful, such an extraordinary situation, that I dared everything to escape it. JACQUES DE RANDOL What did you do? MME. DE SALLUS