She interrupted him quickly, and was so agitated that she stammered her words at random.
"But that is a useless thing to do! What would be the good of it?
It is much more simple--" Yet she could not find in her own mind the more simple thing she desired.

What could she do?
What could she invent, so to be before him in giving her charity?
Never had it seemed to her possible she could detest him as she did now.
"You will say from me, that it is I who have sent you," continued Felicien.

"You will ask--" Again she interrupted him.

The contest lasted a moment longer.

She repeated in an anxious way: "It is, indeed, much more simple; it is much easier--" Suddenly she was calm.