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148 She called to mind, though the moment seemed most inapposite, her husband's pudicity, his discreet entries into the conjugal chamber, the timidity of his caresses, the decency of his words, and the sudden savagery after his almost brotherly conversation. M. de la Mesangerie had explained to her that the ﬁnal formality was necessary for the procreation of children. "God," he added, "has so ordered it, and we must bless his divine providence." He seemed to regret the obligation of going so far and, whether through natural or acquired foolishness, or whether through hypocrisy, he encouraged his wife to believe that sensual pleasures were contemptible. "They are," he even said, "a means and not an end." Following these principles, he had deprived her of them as soon as her ﬁrst child seemed imminent. M. de la Mesangerie was very pious and prided himself on the possession of most enlightened and methodical religion.

"That's the way," she said to herself, as she looped up her hair, "to train up a wife for adultery."

Under the pretext of sticking a pin into her hair, she stood admiring herself in front of the