I'll give you up to him!----

Pierre.

Are you mad?

Julia.

I'll write him a letter something like this: "If you want to find the traces of my flight, search the rubbish heap behind the lover's pavilion. Search for the faded petals of the roses upon which, night after night, Pierre and I celebrated our union. Search the highway for the bloody prints of my bare feet after he turned me out. Then search the dregs of the brothels where I found a refuge. And then--then avenge me!"

Pierre.

You'll do nothing of the kind, you-- (Seizes her by the wrists.)

Julia (laughing).

Nonsense! You have no strength! (Disengages herself without difficulty.)

Pierre.

You've taken it out of me, you beast!

Julia.

Beast?--You've been muttering that word now for a couple of days. This is the first time that you have flung it in my face.--What have I done that was bestial except to throw my young life at your feet?--And so this is the end of our rose-fête?----

Pierre (in a low voice, breathing with difficulty).

No, not yet--the end is still to come!

Julia.

I dare say.

Pierre.

In fact--you must--leave here.

Julia.

I dare say.

Pierre.

Do you understand?--You must leave this place--at once!

Julia.

H'm--just so.

Pierre.

For--you must know--you are no longer safe here.

Julia (turning pale).

Not here either?--Not even here?----

Pierre.

I didn't tell you everything, before.

Julia.

Are you up to some new trick now?

Pierre.

After I had accompanied him down the steps, he asked--very suddenly--to see the park.

Julia.

The park----?

Pierre.

Yes. And he seemed to be searching every rose-bush as if to count the number of blossoms that had been cut from it. Then--in the linden lane--I kept pushing to the left--he kept pushing to the right, straight for the pavilion. And as it stood before us----

Julia (terrified).

The pavilion?

Pierre.

Certainly.

Julia (shuddering).

So near!

Pierre.

He said he'd like to see the old thing once, from the inside.

Julia.

Good heavens! But he knows that's impossible--he knows your family history!

Pierre.

And you may be sure that's how I put it to him.

Julia.

And what did he----?

Pierre.

He was silent--and went back.

Julia.

Went back! But he'll return!----

Pierre.

You've dumped me into a pretty mess, you have!

Julia.

Do, for goodness' sake, stop pitying yourself, and tell me what's to be done.

Pierre.

Haven't I told you?

Julia.

I'll not go away! I will not go away! He can't come in here! I will not leave this place!

Pierre.

Listen! I'll have a carriage here--at one o'clock in the night--behind the park wall. Take it as far as the station.--Listen, I tell you!

Julia.

No, no, no! As soon as I step into the street, I'm lost. And you, too! You don't know him! Gentle and tractable as he seems, when once he's angry, his blood boils over!--If I hadn't taken the cartridges out of his revolver in those days, he-- Why, I've seen him pick up two unmanageable boys on our place and swing them over his shoulder into the mill stream! And they would have been ground to pieces, too, if he hadn't braced himself against the shaft. Pierre, Pierre, never get into his way again. He's merciless!

Pierre (feigning indifference).

Oh, nonsense! I can hit the ace of hearts at twenty paces! I'll show him!

Julia.

Yes, you'll "show him"! Do you suppose that he's going to wait until you take a shot at him?--Devilish much he cares about your duels! He'd make a clod of earth out of you before you'd have time to take off your hat!--I tell you, bolt the gate, lock every room in the house, hide behind your mother's chair,--and even there you won't be safe from him!

Pierre.

(Struggling against his growing apprehension.) If that's the case, then--h'm, then the best thing for me to do is to disappear for a time.

Julia (trying to cling to him).

Yes, let's go away together!

Pierre (moving aside).

That might suit you.

Julia.

But, after all, it would do no good. We could hide among crowds of people--in Piccadilly or in Batignolles--we could go to India or to Texas--and yet, if he took it into his head, he would find us none the less. Even if we should evade him--some day, sooner or later, you would have to return--and then--you would have to pay the penalty!

Pierre (stammering).

I--would--have to----

Julia (wildly).

So stay--stay here! Go and shoot him down!--at night--from behind!--It doesn't matter! Only--let--me--breathe--again.

Pierre.

Do you want to drive me mad? Don't you see that I'm trembling all over?

Julia.

Because you're a cad and a coward--because----