“Yes. Has she been living with you for some time?”
“Yes, for some time.”
They were both silent for a period, mute in so embarrassing a situation. All at once there came the sound of the bell being tugged violently.
“Here she comes,” said Esther, opening the door.
Fanny rushed into the studio. She was pale and upset.
“Weren’t you expecting me?” she asked Esther.
“Yes. I knew that you would come.”
“What do you want of Oswald?”
“Nothing. I want to tell him what sort of woman you are; I want to inform him about your treachery, that’s all. You committed against me, who trusted you as if you were my mother, a vile crime. You betrayed me. You told me that Oswald had seduced a woman and then abandoned her.”
“I!” exclaimed the painter, astounded.