attorney at Louviers a complaint against Lanlaire
for outrages on morals and an assault on modesty.
Ah! that's an idea!
"But, captain, Monsieur has never outraged my morals or assaulted my modesty."
"Well, what difference does that make?"
"I cannot."
"What! you cannot? But there is nothing simpler. Lodge your complaint, and summon Rose and me. We will come to declare, to certify in a court of justice, that we have seen everything, everything, everything. A soldier's word amounts to something, especially just now, thunder of God! And remember that, after that, it will be easy to rake up the case of little Claire, and involve Lanlaire in it. Ah! that's an idea! Think it over, Mademoiselle Célestine; think it over."
Ah! I have many things, much too many things, to think over just now. Joseph is pressing me for a decision; the matter cannot be postponed. He has heard from Cherbourg that the little café is to be sold next week. But I am anxious, troubled. I want to, and I don't want to. One day the idea pleases me, and the next it doesn't. I really believe that I am afraid that Joseph wants to drag me into terrible things. I cannot come to a decision.
He is not brutal in his method of persuasion; he
advances arguments, and tempts me with promises
