Suddenly, without raising her head, she said hoarsely—
"Do you know, Axel, what a woman is justified in expecting from the man with whom she is on intimate terms, such as we are?"
Thunderstruck, unwilling to trust my ears, I faltered—
"No ... what?"
"What does a woman expect from her lover?"
"Love!"
"And what else?"
"Money!"
The vulgar word saved her from further questioning, and I left her, convinced that I had guessed correctly.
"Prostitute! Prostitute!" I said to myself, stumbling through the streets, the autumnal appearance of which depressed my spirits. We had arrived at the last stage.... All that remained to do was to make payment for pleasures received, to admit the trade without shame.