Sylvestre Ker held his breath to hear the better.
“As long as you please,” answered Pol Bihan.
There was a pause, after which the gay Matheline resumed in a lower tone:
“But ... they say after a murder one can never laugh, and I wish to laugh always....”
“Will I not be there?” replied Bihan. “Some time or other the idiot will certainly seek a quarrel with me, and I will crack his bones by only squeezing him in my arms; you can count upon my strength.”
“I have heard enough,” said Sylvestre Ker to Satan.
“And do you still love this Bihan?”
“No, I despise him.”
“And Matheline—do you love her yet?”
“Yes, oh! yes, ... but ... I hate her!”