He would never begin it again, eh?
Never again?
She loved him too dearly.

Why, it was even nice to be beaten if he struck the blow! After that night a new life began.

For a mere trifle--a yes, a no--Fontan would deal her a blow.

She grew accustomed to it and pocketed everything.

Sometimes she shed tears and threatened him, but he would pin her up against the wall and talk of strangling her, which had the effect of rendering her extremely obedient.