"What is the news, you red-capped Jacobin?"
"I will tell you if you open the door."
"Say it through the door; I shall not open it to a breechless outlaw like you."
"If there is no other way, here you have it—I am going to get married."
The door flew open as by magic.
"Who are you going to marry, you wretched fellow?" asked the old spinster.
"Catherine Billet, please."
"Oh, the villain, the scamp, the regicide!" said the good soul; "he marries a ruined girl! Get you gone, scapegrace; I curse you!"
With a gesture quite noble, she held up her dry and yellow hands toward her nephew.