"Then who did?"
"No matter, monsieur, it is sold."
"That is true," replied Bastien, emptying his glass again; "and why did you sell it, if you please,—sell this silver which belonged to me and to me alone?"
"My friend," whispered Bridou to Jacques, "you frighten me; get angry, shriek, storm, howl, I would rather see that than to see you so calm,—your forehead is as white as a sheet and full of sweat."
Bastien did not reply to his friend and continued:
"You have, madame, sold my silver to buy what?"
"I besought you, monsieur, to send me some money to help the victims of the overflow."
"The overflow!" exclaimed Jacques, with a burst of derisive laughter. "That overflow has a famous back, it carries a good deal!"
"I will not add another word on this subject," replied Marie, in a firm and dignified tone.
A long silence followed.