She turned toward the entrance through which she had come; he forgot all rules of propriety and stepped in front of her. They stood face to face, looking into each other's eyes.
"Ferdinande!"
"I wish to proceed!"
"You must hear me! For Heaven's sake, Ferdinande, such an opportunity will not come again—perhaps for weeks."
She laughed scoffingly. "We have time enough!"
Again she tried to pass him; again he stopped her.
"Ferdinande!"
"Once more: Let me pass! You need an opportunity? Such a good one to get rid of me may never come again."
He stepped aside with a bow; she might have gone unhindered, but did not do so; hot tears filled her large eyes; she did not dare to go into the throng, but turned again toward the picture, while he took the same discreet pose as before.
"Be gracious, Ferdinande! I looked forward eagerly to this moment—why do you embitter for both of us the precious minutes? You know, you must know, that I am resolved upon the last extremity, if it must be. But we cannot take the final step without considering everything."