"Do not go up there, I beg!"
"And why not, dear Madame Fournichon? is not all the house ours to-night?"—"Not the turrets."
"Bah! they are part of the house," cried five or six voices.
"No, they are not; they are private; do not disturb my lodgers."
"Do not disturb me, Madame Fournichon," replied St. Maline.
"For pity's sake!" cried Madame Fournichon.
"Madame," replied he, "it is midnight, and at nine all fires ought to be extinguished; there is a fire now in your turret, and I must see what disobedient subject is transgressing the king's edicts."
And St. Maline continued to advance, followed by several others.
"Mon Dieu! M. de Carmainges," cried the duchess, "will those people dare to enter here?"
"I am here, madame; have no fear."