“What! has your aunt never told you that you must love your husband?”
“Oh, yes!”
“And be faithful to him?”
“Oh, yes!”
“Do whatever he wishes?”
“Oh, yes!”
“And never listen to other men?”
“Oh, yes!”
I could stand it no longer; I leaped from my chair. Pélagie, terribly frightened, rose also and looked at me. I paced the floor with long strides. But she came toward me.
“Have you hurt yourself?” she asked, opening her eyes to their fullest extent. I could not help smiling at her question. I put my arms around her and embraced her with considerable warmth; I was determined to try to animate her at any cost. At first she tried to release herself; but I told her that a future husband had the right to hold his intended in his arms.