"Farewell, Florence, farewell!"
Madame de Luceval, pale with grief and indignation, remained perfectly motionless for a moment in the grasp of her husband, who did not relax his hold upon her until after Valentine had left the room.
The young woman then said, in a perfectly calm voice:
"M. de Luceval, you have laid violent hands upon me. From this time on, all is over between us."
"Madame!"
"You have had your way, monsieur; now I shall have mine, as I will prove to you."
"Will you have the goodness to make your wishes known, madame," responded H. de Luceval, with a sardonic smile.
"Certainly."
"Go on, madame."
"In the first place, we are to separate, quietly, peaceably, and without the slightest scandal."