In a voice vibrating with anger, Barrau then related the details of the occurrence at Balance Rock, not, however, mentioning Firmin’s name, since Andoche knew of whom he was speaking.
In the mean time, one by one, the little group increased. Other peasants listened to Savin’s story. When he had finished Jacques Percier, with his great globe-like eyes fixed upon Barrau’s face, foolishly asked: “Then you, too, saw them embrace each other?”
Barrau sprang forward in a frenzy. “Where? When?” he cried.
Andoche slyly touched Jacques’s foot, and the latter saw his mistake. But Savin, taking him savagely by the collar, shouted: “Did you see him embrace my wife?”
“Don’t strangle me,” cried Percier. “It isn’t my fault if Madame Catherine——”
“Answer me,” insisted Barrau, shaking Jacques violently. “Answer me! Did you see them embrace?”
“Well, yes! There!”
“You must be mistaken,” interposed Andoche.
“Let him explain, if you please,” requested Savin. “When was this?”
“After dinner.”