In short and hissing phrases, and mimicking their manners, I related the entire scene between Madame and Monsieur. William, very calm and indifferent, shrugged his shoulders.

"It is too stupid, indeed! " said he. "One should not be as stupid as that ! ' '

' ' And that is all you find to say to me ? "

' ' What else do you expect me to say to you ? I say that it is stupid. There is nothing else to say."

"And you? What are you going to do? "

He looked at me obliquely. There was a sneer on his lips. Ah! how ugly was his look, in that moment of distress ; how ugly and hideous was his mouth !

" I ? " said he, pretending not to understand that, in this question, there were prayers for him.

' ' Yes, you. I asked you what you were going to do."

" Nothing. I have nothing to do. I am going to continue. Why, you are crazy, my girl. You do not expect "...

I burst out:

' ' You are going to have the courage to remain in a house from which I am driven out ? ' '

He rose, relighted his cigarette, and said, icily:

"Oh! no scene, you know. I am not your hus- band. You have seen fit to commit a st