after all?
One who can and ought to serve you. Ability consists in breaking
with people, when they cease to be useful to you.

Bertha reflected.

"Hear me, Hector," said she at last. "I cannot calmly resign
myself to the sacrifice which you demand. Let me have but a few
days, to accustom myself to this dreadful blow. You owe me as much
--let Clement get well, first."

He did not expect to see her so gentle and subdued; who would have
looked for such concessions, so easily obtained? The idea of a
snare did not occur to him. In his delight he betrayed how he
rejoiced in his liberty, which ought to have undeceived Bertha; but
she did not perceive it. He grasped her hand, and cried:

"Ah, you are very good--you really love me."

XIX

The Count de Tremorel did not anticipate that the respite which
Bertha begged would last long. Sauvresy had seemed better during
the last week. He got up every day, and commenced to go about the
house; he even received numerous visits from the neighbors; without
apparent fatigue. But alas, the master of Valfeuillu was only the
shadow of himself. His friends would never have recognized in that
emaciated form and white face, and burning, haggard eye, the robust
young man with red lips and beaming visage whom they remembered.
He had suffered so! He did not wish to die before avenging himself
on the wretches who had filched his happiness and his life. But
what punishment should he inflict? This fixed idea burning in his
brain, gave his look a fiery eagerness. Ordinarily, there are
three modes in which a betrayed husband may avenge himself. He
has the right, and it is almost a duty--to deliver the guilty ones
up to the law, which is on his side. He may adroitly watch them,
surprise them and kill them. There is a law which does not absolve,
but excuses him, in this. Lastly, he may affect a stolid
indifference, laugh the first and loudest at his misfortune, drive
his wife from his roof, and leave her to starve. But what poor,
wretched methods of vengeance. Give up his wife to the law? Would
not that be to offer his name, honor, and life to public ridicule?
To put himself at the mercy of a lawyer, who would drag him through
the mire. They do not defend the erring wife, they attack her
husband. And what satisfaction would he get? Bertha and Tremorel
would be condemned to a year's imprisonment, perhaps eighteen
months, possibly two years. It seemed to him simp