fault. God is my witness, I should have respected you more, had you
said: 'I have ceased loving you. I have taken a mistress. It was
convenient for me to lie to you. I have lied. I have sacrificed all to
my passion, my honor, my duties, my vows and you.'.... Ah, speak to me
like that, that I may have with you the sentiment of truth.... But that
you dare to repeat to me words of tenderness after what you have done to
me, inspires me with repulsion. It is too bitter."

"Yes," said Boleslas, "you think thus. True and simple as you are, how
could you have learned to understand what a weak will is--a will which
wishes and which does not, which rises and which falls?.... And yet,
if I had not loved you, what interest would I have in lying to you?
Have I anything to conceal now? Ah, if you knew in what a position I am,
on the eve of what day, I beseech you to believe that at least the best
part of my being has never ceased to be yours!"

It was the strongest effort he could make to bring back the heart of his
wife so deeply wounded--the allusion to his duel. For since she had not
mentioned it to him, it was no doubt because she was still ignorant of
it. He was once more startled by the reply she made, and which proved to
him to what a degree indignation had paralyzed even her love. He
resumed:

"Do you know it?"

"I know that you fight a duel to-morrow," said she, "and for your
mistress, I know, too."

"It is not true," he exclaimed; "it is not for her."