"Nothing, Monsieur; I ask a simple question, which you surely can have
no difficulty in answering."
"Your questions are the height of indiscretion," he cried angrily.
"In that case, before we carry this interview further, the Family
Council and Madame would do well to have a private consultation."
"Monsieur," he cried, completely losing his temper. "I forbid you to use
that tone to me. You are making a mock of me. You are insulting me. I
bore with you long enough to see how much further your insolence would
dare to go. I'm not to have a hand in the administration of my wife's
money? I'm to forsake a plentiful means of livelihood? I'm to become a
commercial traveller? I'm to expatriate myself? I'm to explain, too,
the reasons why I left the army? I would not condescend. Least of all to
you."
"May I ask why, Monsieur?"
"_Tonnerre de Dieu_!" He stamped his foot. "Do you take me for a fool?
Here I am--I came at my wife's request, ready to take her back as
my wife, ready to condone everything--yes, Monsieur, as a man of the
world--you think I have no eyes, no understanding--ready to take her off
your hands--"
I leaped to my feet.
Pages:
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289