“You have not seen Xantippe since she turned you out? Ah, well, it is much better you should keep away. You are welcome here, and it is foolish to go where one is not wanted.”
“I’ve not seen her; I’m afraid to see her.” He spoke openly to madam now.
“Some women are queer. If she had ever really loved you, she would not have thrown you over. I should not have complained had I been in her place. One cannot always choose one’s lot.”
“It’s that damned Englishman who has spoiled her.”
“Ah, yes, those English! I know them.”
“Did I tell you what she said about the boy?”
“Yes, my friend. But as long as you don’t worry her, her words need not worry you.”
“They don’t, except sometimes at night. I wake up and remember them, and then I am afraid.”
“Why do you hate the Englishman? To my mind it is lucky for both of you that this Englishman saw her. There are not men so rich as the English, and he is a rich Englishman. You are lucky.”
“I hate him.”