Perhaps I could have forgiven it if it had been just a moment's weakness and if afterwards you'd been ashamed.
I should have been miserable, but I think my love was so great that I should only have felt pity for you.
But you're incapable of shame.
And now I believe in nothing.
You're only a silly, pretentious, vulgar poseur.
I would rather be the wife of a second-rate planter so long as he had the common human virtues of a man than the wife of a fake like you.'
He did not answer.
Gradually his face began to discompose. Those handsome, regular features of his horribly distorted and suddenly he broke out into loud sobs.
She gave a little cry.
'Don't, Alban, don't.'
'Oh, darling, how can you be so cruel to me?
I adore you.
I'd give my whole life to please you.
I can't live without you.'
She put out her arms as though to ward off a blow.
'No, no, Alban, don't try to move me.
I can't.
I must go.
I can't live with you any more.
It would be frightful.
I can never forget.
I must tell you the truth, I have only contempt for you and repulsion.'
He sank down at her feet and tried to cling to her knees. With a gasp she sprang up and he buried his head in the empty chair.
He cried painfully with sobs that tore his chest.
The sound was horrible.
The tears streamed from Anne's eyes and, putting her hands to her ears to shut out that dreadful, hysterical sobbing, blindly stumbling she rushed to the door and ran out.