And the voice recommenced—
"Madame Veto promised—"
"No! no!" said the child. "No, no, no!"
"Ah! little beggar," said the hoarse voice; and the noise of a lash whirring through the air was distinctly heard. The infant screamed with agony.
"Ah! sacre bleu!" said Lorin; "it is that rascally Simon beating the little Capet."
Several of the National Guards shrugged their shoulders. Two or three tried to smile. Devaux rose and went out.
"I said truly," murmured he, "that parents should never enter here."
All at once a low door opened, and the royal child, chased by the whip of his guardian made a flying leap into the court, when something hard struck his leg, and fell on the ground behind him.
He stumbled, and fell upon his knee.
"Bring me my last, little monster, or else—"