Ah! How I weep, and how I suffer! It is my own fault if a scoundrel, such as you, murdered my husband.

I must go, one of these nights, and kiss the ground where he rests.

That will be my final rapture." Laurent, beside himself, rendered furious by the atrocious pictures that Therese spread out before his eyes, rushed upon her, and threw her down, menacing her with his uplifted fist.
"That's it," she cried, "strike me, kill me! Camille never once raised his hand to me, but you are a monster." And Laurent, spurred on by what she said, shook her with rage, beat her, bruised her body with his clenched fists.

In two instances he almost strangled her.

Therese yielded to his blows.