And after a pretty long struggle, Flachsinfingen disappeared in the closet, of which his wife drew the bolts.
"Well done!" said Létorière, laughing inwardly at seeing himself shut up with Martha; "it is no longer she, but myself now, who has need of defence. . . . I don't like the presence of the man with the blunderbuss," he added, looking round him with a frightened air.
Martha soon returned, her eyes cast down like an offended prude's.
"I am so confused at this scene, sir! . . . Alas! my husband is unhappily jealous . . . frightfully jealous! Good gracious! without the least reason! He is, in short, so fanciful, that, knowing I was going to have an interview with you . . . with a young gentleman" . . . and the lady hesitated, "whom they say; . . . in short . . . whose reputation is such; . . . in a word . . . my husband hid himself . . . for . . . my grief! you comprehend the rest!"
"Yes, madame, I have already been told that the councillor was very jealous," said the Marquis, timidly.
"Ah! . . . you have been told that!"—and Martha simpered.
"Yes, madame, I have been told that the councillor was very jealous of the influence which you exercise over his clients, who always address themselves to you rather than to him. . . . You are known to be so good . . . to possess such a correct judgment . . . and yet your husband ought to bless you every day; for the Scripture says, The husband who has a good wife is happy, and that the number of his years shall be doubled." This was said with an expression of such virgin innocence, with so gentle and pious an accent, that Martha, stupefied, after taking a long look at the enchanting face, said to herself: "He is a true paschal lamb. . . . Poor innocent! . . . sacred texts always in his mind! . . . how he interests me!" . . . and she added aloud:
"Tell me how it is, that, young as you are, your parents allow you to travel alone? How is it that they confide so important a lawsuit to your inexperience?"
"Alas, madame, I am an orphan. . . . I am poor. . . . I have no one to help me, and my only friend and guide is my old preceptor."
"But how is it that, pleasing as you are, you have such a reputation?"