‘I beseech you, gentlemen, let me depart,’ exclaimed Louise, as the scene around presented itself to her bewildered eyes. ‘There is some mistake in this cruelty; you cannot want me here.’
‘Indeed, but we could not select a better goddess throughout Paris,’ said Lauzun. ‘It is not usual for the grisettes of our quartier to wish to leave the Hôtel de Cluny when they once find themselves within its walls. Let me salute you as a stranger.’
Lauzun, with an assumption of idle gallantry, rather than the wish to insult the poor girl, advanced towards her, and was about to proffer his welcome, when he was somewhat rudely interrupted by the approach of Benoit, who had been amusing the guests at another part of the room with specimens of his new vocation.
‘Tiens!’ he exclaimed with surprise; ‘why, it is our little Louise, whom we have not seen for so long!’
The girl heard Benoit’s voice, and sprang towards him for protection.
‘Get back, fellow!’ said Lauzun, not relishing the interruption.
‘Excuse me, Marquis,’ replied the other; ‘but I consider myself responsible for our Louise’s welfare. It has been my lot to assist her before to-night.’
‘Put this man on one side,’ said Lauzun to his valets.
‘Keep off!’ said Benoit as they approached, ‘or I will send you on a flight without wings through the window.’
‘Turn him out of the house,’ said Lauzun; ‘or rather put him in the cellar: he won’t alarm any one there. Away with him, I say!’