He trembled, as he thus besought her distractedly.
“The son-in-law of Madame Desvarennes does not go before the Assize Courts even to be acquitted,” said she, with a firm voice.
“What would you have me do?” cried Serge, passionately.
Madame Desvarennes did not answer, but pointed to the revolver on the table.
“Kill myself? Ah! no; that would be giving you too much pleasure.”
And he gave the weapon a push, so that it rolled close to Madame Desvarennes.
“Ah! wretch!” cried she, giving way to her suppressed rage. “You are not even a Panine! The Panines knew how to die.”
“I have not time to act a melodrama with you,” snarled Serge. “I am going to try to save myself.”
And he took a step toward the door.
The mistress seized the revolver, and threw herself before him.