‘The man is a villain and a coward,’ he exclaimed; then, as Madeline rose to protest, he threw his arms around her and kissed her tear-stained cheek.
‘Forgive me, chérie,’ he said, ‘the man may say what he likes of me, but I cannot bear that he shall insult my wife. Listen, Madeline,’ he continued, drawing her down upon a seat beside him, ‘I will correct your bad news with good news, though I did not intend to tell you so soon; well, my wife, after all you did not marry a poor man. I have had a good sum of money left to me and a fine house in Paris—and I am going to dress you in a fashion becoming to a rich man’s wife, and take you to Paris for the season. You understand me?’
For the girl was looking at him as if she comprehended nothing, and now she only said—
‘Leave me a few minutes alone.’
He kissed her and led her to the door, as if his only wish in life was to bow to her will.
A few hours after, when husband and wife met again, Madeline seemed to be transformed into a different being. She walked straight up to her husband, put her hand into his, and said—
‘When are we going to Paris, Monsieur?’
He smiled strangely.
‘You are eager to be gone?’
‘Yes, I could not bear to continue this quiet life now.’