Resuming some assurance, he said to her:
"Will you, at least, Clotilde, tell me the cause of this change, sudden, singular as it is? What have I done? How have I offended?"
Without making any reply, Madame de Lucenay looked at him, as is vulgarly said, from head to foot, with so insulting an expression that Florestan felt red with the anger which displayed itself upon his brow, and exclaimed:
"I am aware, madame, that it is thus you habitually break off. Is it a rupture that you now desire?"
"The question is singular!" said Madame de Lucenay, with a sarcastic laugh. "Learn, sir, that when a lackey robs me, I do not break with him, I turn him away."
"Madame!"
"Oh, a truce to this!" said the duchess, in a stern and peremptory tone. "Your presence disgusts me! Why are you here? Have you not had your money?"
"It is true, then, as I guessed, the twenty-five thousand francs—"
"Your last forgery is withdrawn, is it not? The honour of your family's name is saved,—that is well,—go!"
"Ah! believe me—"