"More than that, a denunciation. For I believe I'm right in saying that her presence at the Baron's house is not conducive to happiness."
"I agree with you. Oh, that girl! I shall tell her what I think of her! But you, you will leave to-morrow?"
"To-night, if you like."
At this stage the Baroness appeared, and unceremoniously interrupted our conversation.
"You must stay! You shall stay!" she said imperatively. "Matilda must go!"
"Why?" asked her mother, in amazement.
"Because I mean to have a divorce. Gustav has treated me like an abandoned woman before Matilda's stepfather. I shall prove to them that they're mistaken."
What a heartrending scene! Is there a surgical operation so painful as the tearing asunder of family ties? All passions are let loose, all uncleanness hidden in the depth of the soul stands revealed.
The Baroness took me apart and repeated to me the contents of a letter from her husband to Matilda: abuse of us, and an assurance of his undying love for the girl, in terms which proved that he had deceived us from the very beginning.
The ball has now gained the volume of a rock; it goes on rolling, and crushes alike the innocent and the guilty.