"Well?" asked Madame Danglars, anxiety evident in her voice.
"Well, madame?" Debray repeated, his tone carefully neutral.
"What do you think about this letter?"
"It's simple enough, madame. It tells me that Monsieur Danglars has left under suspicious circumstances."
"Obviously. But is that all you have to say to me?"
"I don't understand what you're asking," Debray said, his voice turning ice-cold.
"He's gone! Gone forever!"
"Oh, madame, surely not-"
"I'm telling you, he'll never return. I know his character. He's absolutely inflexible when it comes to decisions that benefit him. If he could have used me somehow, he would have taken me with him. He left me in Paris because our separation serves his interests. So yes, he's gone, and I'm free forever."
Madame Danglars spoke in a pleading tone, but Debray didn't respond. He just let her remain there, nervous and questioning.
"Well?" she finally said. "Aren't you going to answer me?"
