He placidly removed her fears, without feeling in the least troubled.
"Oh! nothing," he replied, "a nasty job. When they once get hold of you, they will never let you go."
Then, Séverine, lowering her voice, became very humble and fondling.
"Only think," said she, "I fancied,—oh! an ugly thought, that caused me a great deal of pain!—Yes, I fancied to myself that perhaps after the confession I made, you would have nothing more to do with me; and I imagined you had gone, never, never to return!"
Tears filled her eyes, and she burst into sobs, pressing him distractedly in her arms.
"Ah! my darling," she continued, "if you only knew how I yearn for kindness! Love me, love me fondly, because, you see, it is only your love that can make me forget. Now that I have told you all my trouble, you must not leave me. Oh! I implore you!"
Jacques felt penetrated by this tenderness. An invincible relaxation softened him little by little, and he stammered out:
"No, no, I love you, do not be afraid."
And quite overcome, he also wept, in face of the fatality of that abominable evil which had again taken hold of him, and of which he would never be cured. It was shame, and despair without limit.