Her answer, given after some reflection, was-- "I should have tried to endure the evil or cure it for awhile; and when I found it intolerable and incurable, I should have left my torturer suddenly and silently." "And if law or might had forced you back again ?" "What, to a drunkard, a profligate, a selfish spendthrift, an unjust fool ?" "Yes." "I would have gone back; again assured myself whether or not his vice and my misery were capable of remedy; and if not, have left him again." "And if again forced to return, and compelled to abide ?" "I don't know," she said, hastily.

"Why do you ask me, monsieur ?" I would have an answer, because I saw a strange kind of spirit in her eye, whose voice I determined to waken.
"Monsieur, if a wife's nature loathes that of the man she is wedded to, marriage must be slavery.

Against slavery all right thinkers revolt, and though torture be the price of resistance, torture must be dared: though the only road to freedom lie through the gates of death, those gates must be passed; for freedom is indispensable.

Then, monsieur, I would resist as far as my strength permitted; when that strength failed I should be sure of a refuge.

Death would certainly screen me both from bad laws and their consequences." "Voluntary death, Frances ?" "No, monsieur.