“And he will dismiss me instantly. No; my plan is much the best. In two days I will restore the money.”
“You only say that.”
“I swear it.” And, seeing that his words did not convince her, he added, “I had better have said nothing to you, but have gone at once to the wardrobe and taken what I needed.”
But she answered, trembling, for she feared that he would yet do this, “Do you not know that Zénaïde counts her money every day? This very night she showed the casket to the apprentice.”
Chariot started. “Is that so?” he asked.
“Yes; the poor girl is very happy. It would kill her to lose it. Besides, the key is not in the wardrobe.”
Suddenly perceiving that she was weakening her own position, she was silent. The young man was no longer the supplicating lover, he was the spoiled child of the house, imploring his aunt to save him from dishonor.
Through her tears she mechanically repeated the words, “It is impossible.”
Suddenly he rose to his feet.
“You will not? Very good. Only one thing remains then. Farewell! I will not survive disgrace.”