At the end of Nantas (1878) by Émile Zola, the last words of the short story are Flavie's final statement:
ENGLISH:
"I love you!", she cried to his neck, sobbing, tearing this confession from her pride, from all her being tamed, "I love you because you are strong!"
FRENCH:
« Je t’aime ! cria-t-elle à son cou, sanglotante, arrachant cet aveu à son orgueil, à tout son être dompté, je t’aime parce que tu es fort ! »
Why does Flavie announce her love for Nantas and say that he is strong?