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264 Why that's preposterous! Lirat! Remember what you told me about her. . . think of the beautiful things which you had planted in my soul. This despicable woman! Why she is good only for one like me who am lost. But you! You are an honorable man, you are a great artist! Is it to revenge yourself on me that you are doing this? A man like you does not revenge himself in such a manner! He does not besmirch himself! If I did not come to see you it was because I feared to incur your anger! Come, speak to me, Lirat. Answer me!"

Lirat was silent. Juliette was calling him in the hallway:

"Well, are you coming?"

I seized Lirat's hands:

"Look here Lirat. . . she is mocking you. Don't you understand it? One day she said to me: 'I shall revenge myself on Lirat for his contempt, for his arrogant harshness! And that will be a farce!' She is having that revenge now. You are going into her house, aren't you. . . and tomorrow, tonight, this very minute, perhaps, she will chase you out in disgrace! Yes, that is what she is after, I can swear! Ah! Now I understand it all! She has pursued you! Foolish as she is, infinitely inferior to you as she is, she has known how to turn your head. She has a genius for evil, and you are chaste in body and mind! She has poured poison into your veins. But you are strong! You can't do this after all that has taken place between us. . . . or else you are a depraved man, a dirty pig, you whom I admire! You are a dirty pig! Come now!"

Lirat suddenly wriggled out of my hold, and, pushing me away with his two clenched fists:

"Well, yes!" he shouted, "I am a dirty pig! Leave me alone!"