"Who calls me?" inquired the young man rudely, with something rather antagonistic than cordial in his tone of voice.
"I!" replied Chicot, drawing himself up in front of the monk; "I! don't you recognize me?"
"Oh! Monsieur Robert Briquet!" exclaimed the monk.
"Myself, my little man. And where are you going like that, so late, darling child?"
"To the priory, Monsieur Briquet."
"Very good; but where do you come from?"
"I?"
"Of course, little libertine."
The young man started.
"I don't know what you are saying, Monsieur Briquet," he replied; "on the contrary, I have been sent with a very important commission by Dom Modeste, who will himself assure you that such is the case, if there be any occasion for it."