"Oui, madame. But as Monsieur is out I thought that possibly madame——"
Incensed more at the fellow's impudent air than by what he actually said, Helen lost her temper. Angrily, she exclaimed:
"Don't think. People of your class are not hired to think; they are paid to do as they are told. You've been very careless in your work recently. The next time it happens I shall have to tell you to find another place."
The valet smiled. An insolent look passed over his sallow, angular face. Dropping completely his deferential manner and fixing the two women with a bold, familiar stare, he said impudently:
"You needn't wait till next time. I'll quit right now, parbleu. It's a rotten job, anyhow."
Indignant, Helen pointed to the door.
"Go!" she cried. "The housekeeper will settle with you. Never let me see your face again."
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders and went toward the door. As he reached it, he turned round, a sneer on his face:
"You'll see me again all right, but ze circumstances may be different? My lady may not be so proud ze next time."
With this parting shot, he went away, and a moment later they heard him going up to his room to pack his things.