"Mon Dieu! yes; and I avoid her. See, here's a letter that was handed me just now when I left the house; it's from her, I know, I am familiar enough with her writing, but I haven't even broken the seal. What's the use? I'll just throw it into the fire."
And Edmond was on the point of tossing into the flames a letter that he took from his pocket, when Freluchon caught his arm.
"What! you propose to destroy this missive without finding out what is inside?"
"My dear fellow, I know beforehand what is inside: reproaches, complaints, followed by entreaties and burning words! And all this to lead up to the statement that she expects me to call because she absolutely must speak to me."
"She must have a very impassioned style, that woman. Will you let me read her letter?"
"You are at liberty to do so, if you care to."
"It won't annoy you?"
"How foolish you are! Thélénie is not a married woman, so that one is obliged to respect her secrets; furthermore, she makes no mystery of her sentiments toward me."
"Oh, no, indeed! the only mystery she makes is in the matter of her feeling for Chamoureau. Let's see your Ariadne's epistle."