"It matters not.
Rather let the whole world be unjust to me, than that I should be unjust to any one.

And, after all, why should I care about the world, when you are the whole world to me?
Let everybody regard me as a light woman for Madame Karpathy's sake; so long as you do not, I care nothing about the others." "And if I, also, considered you as much ?" Flora sprang up from Rudolf's side in amazement.
"Rudolf! think what you are saying.

Are you serious ?" "Yes, I am serious." Flora reflected for an instant, then she said decidedly-- "Very well, Rudolf, I assure you that I am neither frivolous nor weak--weak not even in respect to you." And with that she sprang to the bell-rope and pulled it violently three times.
The maid entered.
"Netti, you will sleep in here with me to-night." Rudolf looked at his wife with the greatest surprise.
"This is a sentence of banishment, eh ?" "It is." "For how long ?" "Until you withdraw your words." Rudolf smilingly kissed her hand and quitted the room; but he lay down in a very bad humour, and it was a long time before he could go to sleep.

Often he was on the point of starting up, hastening to her room, begging her pardon, and giving her a written assurance under his hand and seal that women are the strongest, the most determined creatures in the world, and that there never was and never will be such a thing as a frivolous, frail young woman--but the self-respect of a husband always restrained him.

It was not right that he should surrender so soon.