“Ah! I know what it is,” she cried, “you want to finish as you began. We have been keeping you for four years. You only came to us to eat and drink, and since then you’ve been at our charge. Monsieur does nothing, Monsieur has arranged so as to live at my expense with his arms folded one over the other. No, you shall have nothing, not a sou. Do you want me to tell you what you are? Well then, you are a———”
And she pronounced the word. Laurent began to laugh, shrugging his shoulders. He merely replied:
“You learn some pretty expressions in the company you keep now.”
This was the only allusion he ventured to make to the love affairs of Thérèse. She quickly raised her head, and bitterly replied:
“Anyhow, I don’t keep the company of murderers.”
Laurent became very pale, and for a moment remained silent, with his eyes fixed on his wife; then, in a trembling voice, he resumed:
“Listen, my girl, don’t let us get angry; there is no good in that neither for you nor me. I’ve lost all courage. We had better come to an understanding if we wish to avoid a misfortune. If I ask you for 5,000 francs it is because I want them; and I will even tell you what I intend to do with them, so as to ensure our tranquillity.”
He gave her a peculiar smile, and continued:
“Come, reflect, let me have your last word.”
“I have thoroughly made up my mind,” answered the young woman, “and it is as I have told you. You shall not have a sou.”