Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales. Guy de Maupassant
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came immediately.
MME. DE SALLUS [looks at him steadfastly]
My dear Jacques, we must decide upon some course of action immediately. The important hour has come.
JACQUES DE RANDOL [surprised]
What do you mean?
MME. DE SALLUS
For two days I have undergone all the anguish that a woman’s heart can endure.
JACQUES DE RANDOL [still more surprised]
What has happened?
MME. DE SALLUS
I am about to tell you, but I wish to do so with calmness and moderation lest you think me mad. That is the reason why I sent for you.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
You know that I am yours entirely. Tell me what I must do.
MME. DE SALLUS
I cannot live near him any longer. It is absolutely impossible. It is an hourly crucifixion.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Near your husband?
MME. DE SALLUS
Yes, my husband.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
What has he done?
MME. DE SALLUS
It is necessary to revert to the other evening, after you took your leave. When we were alone he tried to make a jealous scene, with you as the subject.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
With me as the subject?
MME. DE SALLUS
Yes, a scene which proved to me that he had been watching us.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
How?
MME. DE SALLUS
He had been questioning a servant.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Nothing more than that?
MME. DE SALLUS
No. That in itself, however, is not of much importance, for I believe he really likes you. But, after that, he told me of his love for me. Perhaps I was a little too insolent, too disdainful. I do not know exactly how far I went; but I found myself in such a perplexing, such a painful, such an extraordinary situation, that I dared everything to escape it.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
What did you do?
MME. DE SALLUS
I sought to wound him so deeply that he would leave me forever.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Apparently you have not succeeded.
MME. DE SALLUS
No.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Of course not; that method never does succeed. On the contrary, it often brings about a reconciliation.
MME. DE SALLUS
The next day, during luncheon, he was sulky, irritable, and gloomy. Then, as he was rising from the table, he said, “I have not forgotten your behavior of yesterday, and shall not let you forget it. You wish for war, let it be war; but I warn you that I shall conquer you, because I am your master.” I answered him, “Be it so; but if you drive me to extremity, take care, – it is not always safe to make a woman desperate.”
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Especially when that woman is his wife. And what did he reply?
MME. DE SALLUS
He did not reply in words; but he treated me brutally.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Did he strike you?
MME. DE SALLUS
Yes and no. He jostled me, he squeezed me, he suffocated me. I have bruises all along my arms, but he did not strike me.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Then what did he do?
MME. DE SALLUS
He hugged and embraced me, trying to overcome my resistance.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Is that all?
MME. DE SALLUS
What do you mean by saying, “Is that all?” Don’t you think that is enough?
JACQUES DE RANDOL
You do not understand me. I only wish to know whether he struck you.
MME. DE SALLUS
Oh, no. I am not afraid of that from him; but luckily I was able to ring the bell.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
You rang the bell?
MME. DE SALLUS
Yes.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
What a thing to do! [Smiles.] And when the servant came, did you ask him to show your husband out?
MME. DE SALLUS [pouts]
You seem to find this very funny.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Oh, no, my dear Madame; it is all exceedingly painful to me, but I cannot help realizing the grotesqueness of the situation. Pardon me, – and what then?
MME. DE SALLUS
I ordered my carriage. And then, as soon as Joseph had gone out, my husband said, with that arrogant air which you know so well in him, “Today, or to-morrow – it matters not which.”
JACQUES DE RANDOL
And —
MME. DE SALLUS
And that is almost all.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Almost?
MME. DE SALLUS
Yes, because since then I have locked myself in my room as soon as I heard him coming in.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Haven’t you seen him since?
MME. DE SALLUS
Oh, yes, several times, but only for a few minutes each time.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
What has he said to you?
MME. DE SALLUS
Little or nothing. He either sneers or insolently asks whether I am less savage to-day. Last night at the table he brought out a little book, which he read during dinner. As I did not wish to appear embarrassed or anxious, and desired to maintain my dignity, I said: “Your manners toward me are certainly exceedingly courteous.” He smiled and replied: “What did you say?” “It is strange that, for reading, you should choose the time that we are together,” I said. He answered: “Great heavens! It is all your fault, since you do not care to be amiable. Besides, this little book is very interesting. It is the Civil Code. Perhaps you would like to become acquainted with some clauses in it. They would certainly interest you.” Then he read me the law concerning marriage; the duties of a wife and the rights of a husband. Then he looked me full in the face, and asked me whether I understood. I answered in the same tone that I understood too much, – especially did I understand the kind of man I had married. Then I went out and I have not seen him since.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
Haven’t you seen him to-day?
MME. DE SALLUS
No. He lunched alone. As for myself, I have thought over the situation, and have decided not to meet him tête-à-tête any more.
JACQUES DE RANDOL
But are you quite sure that at bottom his attitude is not induced by anger, by wounded vanity, by disappointment, and perhaps by a little bravado? Possibly he will behave himself better in future. To-night he is at the Opéra. The Santelli