"Ah! no doubt. To leave one's husband, to desert one's home, would appear natural enough to you, too."
At this insulting allusion to her past, Mme. Daubrel repressed an indignant exclamation and replied gently:
"It is bad of you, Monsieur Meyrin, to say that, as you well know. I can find no excuse for the woman who forgets her duty as a wife."
"Yes, you are right. I beg your pardon," said Paul, ashamed of having let his temper master him. "You see, things have come to a miserable pass. I don't blame Lise for loving her son; but she has not reflected on what the consequences may be of her going. In the first place, she ought to have had my permission to make the journey; and, then, what will people think of me when they know that my wife has gone back to her first husband?"
It was plain that vanity was the prime factor in M. Meyrin's nature.
"Her first husband is not in Russia," replied Marthe. "It is not known even in what country he is at this moment."
"He may return to Pampeln any day on account of his son's illness."
"It is not at all likely."
"It might happen, and then I should play a pretty part here, while Lise— No; I will never forgive her."
"Would you have had her leave her child to die?"