"I am going to shut you up here," she said at last; "and when it is daylight we will start for Havre."
He grew still paler with alarm and stupor.
"But this is madness!" he cried. "We can't go off together. You are going crazy—"
"Perhaps so. At all events it's you and your father who are making me so. I need you and I take you. So much the worse for fools!"
Red gleams shone in her eyes. Again approaching Maxime and scorching his face with her breath, she continued:
"What would become of me if you married the hunchback? You would deride me, and I should perhaps be forced to take back that big simpleton De Mussy, who would not even warm my feet—When people have done what we have done they remain together. Besides, it's clear enough, I feel bored when you are not there, and as I'm going off, I take you with me. You can tell Céleste what you want her to go and fetch at your place."
The unfortunate fellow held out his hands and supplicated.
"Come, my little Renée, don't commit such folly. Become yourself again. Think a little of the scandal."
"I don't care a fig for the scandal! If you refuse, I shall go down into the drawing-room and cry out that I have slept with you, and that you are now cowardly enough to want to marry the hunchback."
He bowed his head and listened to her, already giving way, and accepting this will so roughly imposed upon him.