Ernest Pérochon

“ Trooper fell back aghast and words of utter misery came droning from his big chest.
"Madeleine, the curse of God is on my life!"
"Is there any blessing on mine? But who cares? Not you, at all events! All you care about is Violette!—Get out of my sight!—You'd give her my money, would you? And she'd be mean enough to take it, too! Anyhow, it isn't my money—it belongs to those children out there. As it is, your jade has stolen quite enough from them!—I hate her! You don't know how I hate her! You don't know anything! ”

“ Trooper got up, instantly roused to anger.
"What I've got to say is that you're talking rot, Madeleine, and that you've deeply offended me. I'll never forget your words; they'll stand between us for life. You talk like a person without heart or brain, who's never loved anybody."
That made her turn on him in a flash.
"Shut up! Get out! You're driving me mad, all of you! Be still!—You say I don't love anybody? Well, look out there, in the garden!—Do you see those children? ”

“ He threw up his one arm and his powerful hand opened and clutched, opened and clutched like an iron claw, again and again, as he cried:
"The curse of God is on my life! If I meet that man—God pity him! ”