her signature was necessary, and she herself, according to the terms

of the deed, could not alienate the property without the count's

authorization. The day before he had indeed resolved to talk to his

wife about this signature. And now everything was ruined; at such a

moment he would never accept of such a compromise. This reflection

added bitterness to the frightful disgrace of the adultery. He

fully understood what Nana was asking for, since in that ever-

growing self-abandonment which prompted him to put her in