Noemi reflected a moment and then answered drily, hoping to silence Jeanne:
“Well, I think he has. I do not believe he ever loved you.”
“You say that because I myself have said so to you!” Jeanne retorted violently, no longer in a tearful voice.
“You are no judge of that!”
“Bon ça!” Noemi grumbled. “C’est elle qui me l’a dit, et je ne dois pas le savoir!” Silence again.
The tearful voice once more:
“Noemi!”
No answer.
“Noemi, listen!”
Still no answer. Jeanne began to cry, and Noemi yielded.