He was once more startled by the reply she made, and which proved to him to what a degree indignation had paralyzed even her love.

He resumed: "Do you know it ?" "I know that you fight a duel to-morrow," said she, "and for your mistress, I know, too." "It is not true," he exclaimed; "it is not for her." "What ?" asked Maud, energetically.

"Was it not on her account that you went to the Rue Leopardi to provoke your rival?
For she is not even true to you, and it is justice.

Was it not on her account that you wished to enter the house, in spite of that rival's brother-in-law, and that a dispute arose between you, followed by this challenge?
Was it not on her account, and to revenge yourself, that you returned from Poland, because you had received anonymous letters which told you all?
And to know all has not disgusted you forever with that creature ?...

But if she had deigned to lie to you, she would have you still at her feet, and you dare to tell me that you love me when you have not even cared to spare me the affront of learning all that villainy--all that baseness, all that disgrace--through some one else ?" "Who was it ?" he asked.