"So you are going to marry the hunchback?"
"Not a bit of it," he murmured. "Who told you so?"
"Oh! don't lie. It's useless."
He was prompted to rebel. She alarmed him, he wished to finish matters with her.
"Well, yes, I am to marry her. What of it? Am I not the master?"
She came towards him, with her head somewhat lowered, and with an evil laugh, and taking hold of his wrists:
"The master! you, the master! You know very well it isn't so. It is I who am the master. I could break your arms if I were cruel; you have no more strength than a girl."
And as he struggled, she twisted his arms, with all the nervous violence that anger imparted to her. He uttered a slight cry, and she then let go of him, resuming:
"Don't let us fight, I should prove the stronger."
He remained pale, with the shame of the pain which he felt at his wrists. He watched her coming and going about the room. She pushed back the furniture, reflecting, deciding on the plan which had been revolving in her head since her husband had apprized her of the marriage.