lord that thou had'st the shoving of a little pleasure with me? Or would'st like me to inform him?"
"He knows all," she said.
She lied purposely, so as to be able to parry any attack on Landrillon's part. If he spoke, the Count would not believe him. The noble creature desired Kehlmark always to remain ignorant to what a degree she had sacrificed herself for the sake of his tranquility; she wished to avoid humiliating him, or rather causing him everlasting remorse, by such a proof of how much she had loved him.
"What! and in spite of that he takes thee back again!" cried Landrillon. "Peuh! you are really worthy the one of the other. So thou still lov'st this broken-down swell?"
"Thou hast hit it exactly; and, if possible, more than ever."
"Thou belong'st to me. I want thee, and on the spot, were it only for the last time."
"No! Never again; I am free of you, and laugh henceforth at all your enterprises." Landrillon was so taken aback at this change of face and so daunted by the desperately resolute air of the owners of Escal-
