Caroline, reassured in regard to Adolphe, and indecently swindled by Justine, at last comes to desire to get rid of her: she applies a violent remedy to the disease, and makes up her mind to go under the Caudine Forks of another petty trouble, as follows:
THE AVOWAL.
One morning, Adolphe is petted in a very unusual manner. The too happy husband wonders what may be the cause of this development of affection, and he hears Caroline, in her most winning tones, utter the word: “Adolphe?”
“Well?” he replies, in alarm at the internal agitation betrayed by Caroline’s voice.
“Promise not to be angry.”
“Well.”
“Not to be vexed with me.”
“Never. Go on.”
“To forgive me and never say anything about it.”
“But tell me what it is!”