“And a human institution as well. But we need not bandy words María. Tell me what did you come here for?”
“And now he dares to ask me what I came for!” she exclaimed, her nervousness giving way to a frenzy of wrath. “I will tell you. I came to require of you an account of your criminal behaviour, to surprise you in your lair, to put you to open shame, and then—and then to scorn you.”
“But you could have scorned me without coming here.”
“I wished to see whether you had a remnant of shame and decency; whether I could surprise you, face to face; if you would dare to confess your sin....”
“You have, you see, surprised me somewhat,” said Leon raising his eyes. “As regards my sins, if I have committed any, it is not to you that I owe a confession.”
“What audacious impudence!... But I came for something more,” added María livid with rage. “I came in the hope of finding here that abandoned woman, and of giving her the name she deserves; to ...” She clenched her fists and her eyes glared.
“What woman?”
“The hypocrite can ask! I do not name her for it would stain my lips ... do you dare to tell me that you are not on terms of disgraceful—of criminal intimacy with her?”
“With whom?”