She replied slowly and seriously, like a woman who feels the weight of her words,
"Listen, Jacques. He has forbidden me to see you again, and I will not play this comedy of coming secretly to your house. You must either lose me or take me."
"My dear Irene, in that case, obtain your divorce, and I will marry you."
"Yes, you will marry me in—two years at the soonest. Yours is a patient love."
"Look here! Reflect! If you remain here, he'll come to-morrow to take you away, and seeing that he is your husband, seeing that he has right and law on his side."
"I did not ask you to keep me in your own house, Jacques, but to take me anywhere you like. I thought you loved me enough to do that. I have made a mistake. Good-bye!"
She turned round and went towards the door so quickly that he was only able to catch hold of her when she was outside the room.
"Listen, Irene."
She struggled and did not want to listen to him any longer, her eyes full of tears, and with these words only on her lips,
"Let me alone! let me alone! let me alone!"