The Avenger (Maupassant)
Antoine Leuillet had been in love with Mathilde Souris for nearly ten years before they got married. Mathilde was previously married to Antoine's friend, Souris, who died suddenly of aneurism of the heart.
After the appropriate mourning period, Antoine married Mathilde, and they lived happily together. He got a terrible shock, for they were of the same age; but the very next moment, a sensation of profound joy, of infinite relief of deliverance, penetrated his body and soul.
He got a terrible shock, for they were of the same age; but the very next moment, a sensation of profound joy, of infinite relief of deliverance, penetrated his body and soul.
Antoine, however, harbored a posthumous jealousy towards Souris, who had been the first to possess Mathilde. This jealousy led him to constantly ask Mathilde about her first husband, seeking information about his habits and personal characteristics. Mathilde indulged Antoine's curiosity, and they often laughed together at Souris' expense. The memory of the dead husband spoiled the happiness of the living husband; and this posthumous jealousy now began to torment Leuillet’s heart day and night.
The memory of the dead husband spoiled the happiness of the living husband; and this posthumous jealousy now began to torment Leuillet’s heart day and night.
One night, while they were in bed, Antoine asked Mathilde if she had ever been tempted to deceive Souris. Mathilde, thinking that Antoine would find the idea amusing, admitted that she had. Antoine was shocked and demanded to know who the other man was. Mathilde, realizing her mistake, tried to backtrack and say that she had only been joking, but Antoine was furious.
In his anger, Antoine physically assaulted Mathilde, leaving her bruised and sobbing in bed. And she lay huddled up in bed, crying and heaving great sobs, feeling that there was an end of her happiness, and that it was all her own fault.
And she lay huddled up in bed, crying and heaving great sobs, feeling that there was an end of her happiness, and that it was all her own fault.
Mathilde tried to explain that she had lied about deceiving Souris, but Antoine's jealousy and hatred towards his dead friend only grew stronger. Despite Mathilde's attempts to mend their relationship, Antoine's jealousy continued to fester, casting a shadow over their once-happy marriage.