Speak, or I will leave you. I may be a fool who
destroys his own happiness, I may be demanding something that is not for
me to possess, it may be that an explanation will separate us and raise
before me an insurmountable barrier, that it will render our tour, on
which I have set my heart, impossible; whatever it may cost you and me,
you shall speak or I will renounce everything."
"No, I will not speak."
"You will speak! Do you fondly imagine I am the dupe of your lies? When I
see you change between morning and evening until you differ more from
your natural self than does night from day, do you think I am deceived?
When you give me, as a cause, some letters that are not worth the trouble
of reading, do you imagine that I am to be put off with the first pretext
that comes to hand because you do not choose to seek another? Is your
face made of plaster that it is difficult to see what is passing in your
heart? What is your opinion of me? I do not deceive myself as much as you
suppose, and take care lest, in default of words, your silence discloses
what you so obstinately conceal."
"What do you imagine I am concealing?"
What do I imagine? You ask me that! Is it to brave me you ask such a
question? Do you think to make me desperate and thus get rid of me? Yes,
I admit it, offended pride is capable of driving me to extremes. If I
should explain myself freely, you would have at your service all feminine
hypocrisy; you hope that I will accuse you, so that you can reply that
such a woman as you does not stoop to justify herself.
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