"Because it has not impaired your wit."
"No," replied Coster de Saint-Victor, kissing her beautiful hand, "but it may have taken away my reason."
Just then the bell rang in a peculiar fashion, and the hand which Coster was holding trembled. Aurélie's waiting-maid rose and looked uneasily at her mistress.
"Madame," said she, "that is the citizen-general."
"Yes," replied the latter, "I recognized his ring."
"What will he say?" asked the maid.
"Nothing."
"What do you mean?"
"I shall not open the door." The courtesan shook her head rebelliously.
"You will not admit citizen-general Barras?" asked the terrified maid.