I sought to wound him so deeply that he would leave me forever. JACQUES DE RANDOL Apparently you have not succeeded. MME. DE SALLUS No. JACQUES DE RANDOL Of course not; that method never does succeed. On the contrary, it often brings about a reconciliation. MME. DE SALLUS The next day, during luncheon, he was sulky, irritable, and gloomy. Then, as he was rising from the table, he said, “I have not forgotten your behavior of yesterday, and shall not let you forget it. You wish for war, let it be war; but I warn you that I shall conquer you, because I am your master.” I answered him, “Be it so; but if you drive me to extremity, take care,--it is not always safe to make a woman desperate.” JACQUES DE RANDOL Especially when that woman is his wife. And what did he reply? MME. DE SALLUS He did not reply in words; but he treated me brutally. JACQUES DE RANDOL Did he strike you? MME. DE SALLUS Yes and no. He jostled me, he squeezed me, he suffocated me. I have bruises all along my arms, but he did not strike me. JACQUES DE RANDOL Then what did he do? MME. DE SALLUS He hugged and embraced me, trying to overcome my resistance. JACQUES DE RANDOL Is that all? MME. DE SALLUS What do you mean by saying, “Is that all?” Don't you think that is enough? JACQUES DE RANDOL You do not understand me. I only wish to know whether he struck you. MME. DE SALLUS Oh, no. I am not afraid of that from him; but luckily I was able to ring the bell. JACQUES DE RANDOL You rang the bell? MME. DE SALLUS Yes. JACQUES DE RANDOL What a thing to do! [_Smiles_.] And when the servant came, did you ask him to show your husband out? MME. DE SALLUS [_pouts_] You seem to find this very funny. JACQUES DE RANDOL Oh, no, my dear Madame; it is all exceedingly painful to me, but I cannot help realizing the grotesqueness of the situation. Pardon me,--and what then? MME. DE SALLUS I ordered my carriage. And then, as soon as Joseph had gone out, my husband said, with that arrogant air which you know so well in him, “Today, or to-morrow--it matters not which.” JACQUES DE RANDOL And-- MME. DE SALLUS And that is almost all. JACQUES DE RANDOL Almost? MME. DE SALLUS Yes, because since then I have locked myself in my room as soon as I heard him coming in. JACQUES DE RANDOL Haven't you seen him since? MME. DE SALLUS Oh, yes, several times, but only for a few minutes each time. JACQUES DE RANDOL What has he said to you? MME. DE SALLUS