he chooses is that she is doing abominable things."

He seemed stupefied and not to understand, and could only stammer out:

"Hold your tongue; you know I have forbidden you----"

But she interrupted him with irresistible resolution. "No, monsieur, I
must tell you everything now. For a long time madame has been carrying on
with Monsieur Limousin. I have seen them kiss scores of times behind the
door. Ah! you may be sure that if Monsieur Limousin had been rich, madame
would never have married Monsieur Parent. If you remember how the
marriage was brought about, you would understand the matter from
beginning to end."

Parent had risen, and stammered out, his face livid: "Hold your tongue
--hold your tongue, or----"

She went on, however: "No, I mean to tell you everything. She married you
from interest, and she deceived you from the very first day. It was all
settled between them beforehand. You need only reflect for a few moments
to understand it, and then, as she was not satisfied with having married
you, as she did not love you, she has made your life miserable, so
miserable that it has almost broken my heart when I have seen it."

He walked up and down the room with hands clenched, repeating: "Hold your
tongue--hold your tongue----" For he could find nothing
else to say. The old servant, however, would not yield; she seemed
resolved on everything.

George, who had been at first astonished and then frightened at those
angry voices, began to utter shrill screams, and remained behind his
father, with his face puckered up and his mouth open, roaring.

His son's screams exasperated Parent, and filled him with rage and
courage. He rushed at Julie with both arms raised, ready to strike her,
exclaiming: "Ah! you wretch. You will drive the child out of his senses."
He already had his hand on her, when she screamed in his face:

"Monsieur, you may beat me if you like, me who reared you, but that will
not prevent your wife from deceiving you, or alter the fact that your
child is not yours----"

He stopped suddenly, let his arms fall, and remained standing opposite to
her, so overwhelmed that he could understand nothing more.

"You need only to look at the child," she added, "to know who is its
father! He is the very image of Monsieur Limousin. You need only look at
his eyes and forehead. Why, a blind man could not be mistaken in him."

He had taken her by the shoulders, and was now shaking her with all his
might. "Vi