Maurice, a young Parisian playwright. Assured that his play will be a success, he promises to marry Jeanne, his mistress. She gives him a tie and gloves to wear on the opening night. That afternoon, he meets Henriette, the mistress of his friend Adolphe. Although he is falling in love, he has a presentiment of evil. His play is a triumph, but Maurice, instead of going to the celebration party, meets Henriette, who declares her love and throws Jeanne’s gifts into the fire. Planning to flee with Henriette, Maurice visits his daughter Marion. After his visit, the child is found dead, and he and Henriette are arrested for murder.....


in one of the scenes Maurice say to Henriette :you who stir up man's
courage with your scent of blood, whence do you come and where do
you lead me? I loved you before I saw you, for I trembled when I
heard them speak of you. And when I saw you in the doorway, your
soul poured itself into mine...he left Jeanne with all her kindness and her love to him to join Henriette who happened to be a criminal..and has no conscience even ask what this word mean?.he find this evil woman attractive......there was something in common between them....
Astarte, now you demand the sacrifice of women.
You shall have them, but if you ask for innocent children, too



Maurice ask her if she has been in love with Adolphe

she said I don't know. The goodness of his nature drew me like
some beautiful, all but vanished memory of childhood. Yet there
was much about his person that offended my eye...


this conversation happened just before his daughter died...

HENRIETTE. The child! Another woman's child! And for the sake of
it I am to suffer. Why must that child block the way where I want
to pass, and must pass?

MAURICE. Yes, why? It would be better if it had never existed..!

this play raise the question if someone desperately wanted to commit acrime ,and it happened,without him being involved....does he still be a criminal?
and if someone commited acrime and is not punished for it,will his torments of conscience and Constant Feeling Of Guilt be more torturing to him than he have ever punished for his crime...?
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