Part 37 (1/2)
”Madame, the property which Madame Germeuil left must be administered; I feared that it would be painful to you to attend to these details which are indeed your husband's concern, but we require your signature, and I have brought the papers.”
”Oh! give them to me, give them to me! I will sign anything; I consent to give up everything! But at least let my retirement no longer be disturbed by your presence!”
As she spoke, Adeline seized the papers which Dufresne handed her, she signed them all blindly, and handed them back to him, and was turning away, but he grasped her with violence by the arm, just as she was about to leave the salon.
”One moment, madame; you are in a great hurry to leave me. For my own part, I propose to recompense myself for the time I have pa.s.sed without seeing you; besides, I have news of your husband for you.”
A cruel smile gleamed in Dufresne's eyes; Adeline shuddered and tried to escape.
”Do not detain me,” she cried, ”or I shall find a way to punish your audacity.”
”Oh! don't be so proud, my lovely Adeline! Do you suppose that I have not taken my precautions? Your gardener is busy at the end of the garden, your maid has gone down to her kitchen, where she cannot hear you; for I know this house perfectly. You will stay here because I wish it; you will listen to me, and then we will see.”
”Villain! do not think to frighten me; the hatred which you inspire in me will double my strength.”
”Ah! so you hate me still; you refuse to be reasonable? I am of better composition; I would forget your insults if you would consent to love me at last. But beware; my patience will wear out, and then I shall be capable of anything.”
”O mon Dieu! must I listen to such infamous words?”
”Come, no temper! you cannot love your husband any longer, for he abandons you, forgets you, ruins you, consorts with prost.i.tutes and haunts gambling houses. He is now almost as much of a rake as of a gambler, and that is not saying little; he will bring you to the gutter!--But I will give you riches; nothing will cost too much that will gratify your desires. Open your eyes! and see if I am not the equal of your imbecile Edouard! You are silent? Good,--I see that you realize the justice of my words.--Let us make peace.”
Dufresne walked toward Adeline; she uttered a piercing shriek.
”What! still the same harsh treatment? Oh! I will not make this journey for nothing; I must have a kiss.”
”Monster! I would rather die!”
”Oh, no! one doesn't die for so small a matter.”
In vain did the unhappy woman try to flee, the villain held her fast; he was about to sully with his impure breath the lips of beauty, when a loud noise was heard, and in another instant Jacques entered the salon, followed by Sans-Souci.
Dufresne had not had time to leave the room; the struggle that Adeline had sustained had exhausted her strength; she could only falter these words:
”Deliver me, save me from this monster!” then she fell unconscious to the floor.
Jacques ran to Adeline, shaking his fist at Dufresne. The latter tried to go out, but Sans-Souci barred his pa.s.sage, crying:
”One moment, comrade; you have failed in respect to this young lady, and you don't get off like this.”
”You are wrong,” replied Dufresne, doing his utmost to conceal the perturbation which had seized him at sight of Jacques. ”This lady is subject to attacks of hysteria; I hurried here in response to her cries; I came to help her. Let me go for her servants.”
Sans-Souci was hesitating, he did not know what to think; but Jacques, struck by Dufresne's voice, had turned and was examining him carefully; he soon recognized him and shouted to Sans-Souci:
”Stop that villain; don't let him escape; it is Breville,--that scoundrel who robbed me at Brussels! Ten thousand cartridges! he has got to pay me for that!”
”Aha! my comrade,” said Sans-Souci, ”you didn't expect to be recognized!
It is disagreeable, I agree; but you have got to dance. Forward!”