He threw the window of the dining-room wide open, and advancing to where the cat was seated, grasped him by the skin at the back of the neck.

Madame Raquin understood, and two big tears rolled down her cheeks.

The cat began to swear, and stiffen himself, endeavouring to turn round and bite the hand that grasped him.

But Laurent held fast.

He whirled the cat round two or three times in the air, and then sent him flying with all the strength of his arm, against the great dark wall opposite.