Marcel made an ironic gesture that seemed to say:
"What does it matter? . . ."
"So you see, my friend," Annette went on, "in the last analysis, I am still further away from you than from Roger."
"So you too," demanded Marcel, "belong to the good old school: 'Let us hamper one another'?"
"The one grandeur of marriage," said Annette, "is monogamous love, the fidelity of two hearts. If that is lost, what remains outside of a few practical advantages?"
"They are not negligible," said Marcel.
"They are not enough," replied Annette, "to compensate for the sacrifices."
"If that's your opinion, what are you complaining about? You rivet the bars from which one would deliver you."
"The liberty that I want," said Annette, "is not that of the heart. I feel that I am strong enough to keep that intact for the one to whom I give it."
"Are you so sure of that?" Marcel demanded tranquilly.