"As a matter of morality," said Mme. Herail, "you have no right to give me such an order."
"We are not in the domain of abstract morality," replied the husband, "but in the domain of civil and military law and you owe me obedience."
"If you give me that order, everything will be over between us for life, and anyhow, I will not obey the order," retorted Mme. Herail, with remarkable feminine logic.
"I give you two minutes to reflect," said the unfortunate captain, whose emotions were getting terribly wrought up.
He went back to the other room, where Major Bouchez was waiting for him, took up his service revolver, and then returned to his wife's room.
"Have you reflected? Is it no?" he asked, evidently anticipating his wife's immovable obstinacy.
"I will never leave you alive. I love you too much, Jean," said Madame Herail.
"Then you will leave me dead," said Captain Herail.
IV—"HE AIMED AT HIS WIFE—AND FIRED"
Captain Herail then aimed point-blank at his wife with his revolver and fired three shots at her. She fell to the ground dead, all three of the bullets having passed through her head. Major Bouchez rushed in, saw the body, and, as he testified at the trial, found Captain Herail in tears and out of his mind with remorse.