He leaned back now, his arms folded upon his chest, his eyes gloating upon the abject misery of the woman who had wronged him.
"Where are you taking me ?" she asked at last.
"To Portillac, my little wifie." "And why there?
What would you do to me ?" "I would silence that little lying tongue forever.

It shall deceive no more men." "You would murder me ?" "If you call it that." "You have a stone for a heart." "My other was given to a woman." "Oh, my sins are indeed punished." "Rest assured that they will be." "Can I do nothing to atone ?" "I will see that you atone." "You have a sword by your side, Maurice.

Why do you not kill me, then, if you are so bitter against me?
Why do you not pass it through my heart ?" "Rest assured that I would have done so had I not an excellent reason." "Why, then ?" "I will tell you.

At Portillac I have the right of the high justice, the middle, and the low.

I am seigneur there, and can try, condemn, and execute.