At that moment Jacques Percier, with his usual stupid demeanor, came across the fields and joined them. He heard Barrau’s last words, and quite naturally inferred that Bruno also figured in the subject of conversation.
“Good-afternoon, gentlemen,” said he, cheerfully.
“Good-afternoon, Percier.”
“Your wife!” repeated the blacksmith in surprise.
“Yes. You know she is indiscreet. I do not for a moment believe anything further; but she is imprudent and I am greatly disturbed by it.”
“Perhaps you are too hard upon her.”
“No, I only ask her love and respect.”
“Well,” interposed Jacques, with the pompous air of a bridegroom, “we all expect that.”
“At all events, I have given the rascal a good lesson.”
“And he deserved it,” replied Jacques, thinking all the time Savin was speaking of Bruno.