“Ah, what a wretch!” exclaimed the girl, dreadfully agitated. “Marius, did you see what a look he gave us as he went out?”
“I saw it,” replied M. de Tregars.
“That man hates us: he will not hesitate to commit a crime to avenge the atrocious humiliation you have just inflicted upon him.”
“I believe it too.”
Mlle. Gilberte made a gesture of distress.
“Why did you treat him so harshly?” she murmured.
“I had intended to remain calm, and it would have been politic to have done so. But there are some insults which a man of heart cannot endure. I do not regret what I have done.”
A long pause followed; and they remained standing, facing each other, somewhat embarrassed. Mlle. Gilberte felt ashamed of the disorder of her dress. M. de Tregars wondered how he could have been bold enough to enter this house.
“You have heard of our misfortune,” said the young girl at last.
“I read about it this morning, in the papers.”