Little by little she had raised herself from the divan, and, while begging Ferragut's protection, was going toward him with outstretched arms; abject, and yet at the same time caressing, through that desire of seduction that always predominated over all her acts.
"Leave me!" shouted the sailor. "Do not come near me…. Do not touch me!"
He felt that same wrath that had made him so brutal in their interview in Barcelona. He was greatly exasperated at the tenacity of this adventuress who, in addition to the tragic influence she had already exercised upon his life, was now trying to compromise him still further.
But a sentiment of cold compassion made him check his anger and speak with a certain kindness.
If she needed money in order to make her escape, he would give it to her without any haggling whatever. She could name the sum. The captain was disposed to satisfy all her desires except that of living with her. He would give her a substantial amount in order to make her fortune assured and never see her again.
Freya made a gesture of protest at the same time that the sailor began repenting of his generosity…. Why should he do such a favor to a woman who reminded him of the death of his son?… What was there in common between the two?… Their vile love-affair in Naples had been sufficiently paid for with his bereavement…. Let each one follow his own destiny; they belonged to different worlds…. Was he going to have to defend himself all his life long from this insistent charmer?…
Moreover, he was not at all sure that even now she was telling the truth…. Everything about her was false. He did not even know with certainty her true name and her past existence….
"Clear out!" he roared in a threatening tone. "Leave me in peace."
He raised his powerful hand against her, seeing that she was going to refuse to obey. He was going to pick her up roughly, carry her like a light bundle outside the room, outside the boat, flinging her away as though she were remorse.
But her physique, so opulent in its seductions, now inspired him with an unconquerable repugnance; he was afraid of its contact and wished to avoid its electric surprises…. Besides, he wasn't going to maltreat her at every meeting like a professional Apache who mixes love and blows. He recalled with disgust his violence in Barcelona.