“O Madame, surely you exaggerate.”
“At all events, I must admire your heroism. I know that at Suzanne’s reception you tried to defend me against the man I have married. And you do not wish me to reproach myself for not having guessed your secret? Alas! the past cannot be changed, but if I were your wife——”
“I beg of you, be silent! I shall go mad.”
“Oh, I too am miserable. Still, that shall not prevent me from thanking you.”
She extended her hand. Poor Bruno knew not what to do.
“It is not necessary to speak of the little I have done. It was but selfishness on my part.”
Catherine, who was silent for a moment, decided to change the subject.
“You have there a fine fish,” she said, for want of a better theme.
“Will you not accept it, Madame?”
“Oh, no, my poor friend, no. What should I do with it? Should I not be obliged to tell him where I got it?”