But, in his irritation, he still affected to doubt it, and did not cease to question the poor woman, again and again reproaching her with misconduct.
Antoine soon found out that, alone and without resources, he could not successfully carry on a contest with his brother.

He then endeavoured to gain Adelaide to his cause; an accusation lodged by her might have serious consequences.

But, at Antoine's first suggestion of it, the poor, lazy, lethargic creature firmly refused to bring trouble on her eldest son.
"I am an unhappy woman," she stammered; "it is quite right of you to get angry.

But I should feel too much remorse if I caused one of my sons to be sent to prison.

No; I'd rather let you beat me." He saw that he would get nothing but tears out of her, and contented himself with saying that she was justly punished, and that he had no pity for her.