Then, with a burst of wild laughter, he said, "It is then true! I like that better! It is frightful to know it, but one suffers less--To know it' As if I did not know she had lovers before me, as if it were not written on Alba's every feature that she is Werekiew's child, as if I had not heard it said seventy times before knowing her that she had loved Branciforte, San Giobbe, Strabane, ten others.

Before, during, or after, what difference does it make?
Ah, I was sure on knocking at your door--at this door of honor--I should hear the truth, that I would touch it as I touch this object," and he laid his hand upon a marble bust on the table.
"You see I hear it like a man.

You can speak to me now.

Who knows?
Disgust is a great cure for passion.

I will listen to you.