ld do me no good. If you had not been there she would
have been my wife now."

"Edouard!"

"What I say is true. But I do not want to reproach you because of that.
Each of us was playing his own game, and your game was not my game. You
are going now, and if I play my game again I can play it alone."

Upon hearing this, Sophie sat a while in silence, looking at him. "You
will play it alone," she said at last. "You would rather do that?"

"Much rather, if I play any game at all."

"And you will give me something to go?"

"Not one sou."

"You will not--not a sou?"

"Not half a sou--for you to go or stay. Sophie, are you not a fool to
ask me for money?"

"And you are a fool--a fool who knows nothing. You need not look at me
like that. I am not afraid. I shall remain here. I shall stay and do as
the lawyer tells me. He says that if I bring my action she must pay me
for my expenses. I will bring my action. I am not going to leave it all
to you. No. Do you remember those days in Florence? I have not been paid
yet, but I will be paid. One hundred and seventy-five thousand francs a
year--and, after all, I am to have none of it! Say--should it become
yours, will you do something for your sister?"

"Nothing at all--nothing. Sophie, do you think I am fool enough to
bargain in such a matter?"

"Then I will stay. Yes, I will bring my action. All the world shall
hear, and they shall know how you have destroyed me and yourself. Ah!
you think I am afraid--that I will not spend my money. I will spend
all--all--all; and I will be revenged."

"You may go or stay, it is the same thing to me. Now, if you please, I
will take my leave." And he got up from his chair to leave her.

"It is the same thing to you?"

"Quite the same."

"Then I will stay, and she shall hear my name every day of her
life--every hour. She shall be so sick of me and of you
that--that--that--Oh, Edouard!" This last appeal was made to him
because he was already at the door, and could not be stopped in any
other way.

"What else have you to say, my sister?"

"Oh, Edouard, what would I not give to see all those riches yours? Has
it not been my dearest wish? Edouard, you are ungrateful. All men are
ungrateful." Now, having succeeded in stopping him, she buried her face
in the corner of the sofa and wept plentifully. It must be presumed that
her acting before her brother must have been altogether thrown away; but
the acting was, nevertheless, very good.