He merely replied:
"You learn some pretty expressions in the company you keep now."
This was the only allusion he ventured to make to the love affairs of
Therese. She quickly raised her head, and bitterly replied:
"Anyhow, I don't keep the company of murderers."
Laurent became very pale, and for a moment remained silent, with his
eyes fixed on his wife; then, in a trembling voice, he resumed:
"Listen, my girl, don't let us get angry; there is no good in that
neither for you nor me. I've lost all courage. We had better come to an
understanding if we wish to avoid a misfortune. If I ask you for 5,000
francs it is because I want them; and I will even tell you what I intend
to do with them, so as to ensure our tranquillity."
He gave her a peculiar smile, and continued:
"Come, reflect, let me have your last word."
"I have thoroughly made up my mind," answered the young woman, "and it
is as I have told you. You shall not have a sou."
Her husband rose violently. She was afraid of being beaten; she crouched
down, determined not to give way to blows. But Laurent did not even
approach her, he confined himself to telling her in a frigid tone that
he was tired of life, and was about to relate the story of the murder to
the commissary of police of the quarter.
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