Serge Panine -- Volume 02

ted. She felt Jeanne trembling on her breast; she saw something serious had occurred. She calmed hers

" she asked, looking

cted," replied the bank

fuses to f

at reason?"

ble the dreamed-of type, Madame has repugnances. But you understand the affair is not going to end there. It is not usual to come and say to a husban

" said Madame Desvarennes, quietly. "There is so

hrugged his b

sunderstanding! Say rather a shameful deception! But I want to know the gentleman's name. She

fingers Cayrol's great fist which he held menacingly like a butcher abou

a moment. To you, now, she will not say anything; to

face br

rile, I do not know how to talk to women. Rebuke her and put a little

esvarenn

," she a

yrol, who was leaving t

an

you will tell me what happened. Among women we und

ed flower fascinated her. She could not take her eyes off it. Within her a persistent thought recurred: that of her

rought you up? And if you are not born of me, have not the tender

wer, but her eyes

s as you used to do when you were little and were suffering. Place your h

s, she buried her face in the silky and scented folds of her dress like a fright

r man than her husband. But why had she not said anything, and why had she allowed herself to be married to the banker? She had

perhaps in a moment of despair and discouragement. But why had he whom she loved not married her? What obstacle had arisen betwe

im? In society at her house in the Rue Saint-Dominique, perhaps! Who could tell? He very likely still continued to come there. At the thought Madame Desvarennes grew angry. She wished to know the name of the man so that she might have an explanati

nes's knee. The latter raised her head gently and wi

ke up your mind. I can understand your hiding anything from

ennes! To tell the name of him who had been false to her! To her! Was it possible? In a moment she understood that she was about to destroy Mi

e what my husband has told you. Never seek to k

you wish to hide his name even from me," said

ame fixed. They looked witho

Jeanne, madly placing

ace as if to ch

ieve-" Suddenly she ceased speaking; she became pale, a

-"she

terrified at seeing that the m

esvarennes in a loud voice. "You read it then on my lips? Unha

ing anything to defend the happiness of the child whom she adored. Serge had calculated well. Between Jeanne and Micheline, Madame Desvarennes

consideration for her. It was necessary that she should speak. Jeanne was the sole

me!" moaned t

that! In one word, answ

I kn

tell you

es

ame Desvarennes, with a fearful gesture. "I d

in a cage. Then, suddenly stopping and pl

lp me to sav

ation, unconsciously, she abandoned the other-the child of

ed Jeanne, bitterly. "She t

her with anguish. Then, reflecting: "Stil

with rage. "He wanted M

gly. "Is she not pretty enough to have pleased him?

uld have married me!", re

treading too heavily on her. With a

th me to get me to marry Cayrol, he

ow he has deceived us all! But what can I do? What course can I

tburst of fur

at worthless dandy? And she has my blood in he

asked Jeann

y; "but she is so weak, so gentle! Ah! Jeanne, think what I have been

go. It was folly. If you separate from Cayrol, you will not be able

, I exist, I count, I have the right to be protected, of being happy! And you wish me to

es became herself. She straightened her figure, and in h

d, disdained. Believe me, impose silence on your heart and listen to your reason. Your husband is a good, loyal man. If you cannot l

d vanquished. "But what wi

arennes, with true grandeur. "Be a wife; God w

the mother. What the mistress now said was sincere and true. It was no longer her a

," said the young wife, sim

ars of gratitude and admiration fall on it. Then

ur," called s

of the interview, showed his anxious face on the threshold. He saw

And; besides, nothing has passed between him and her who is your wife that could arouse your jealousy. I will not tell you the name of this man

king for, a moment;

nnes, r

I have confid

toward Jean

let everything

, as she followed their departing f

e hea

ging her e

other one!" e

t out on to