"What did he say?"
The girl's eyes, that had been so steadfast, on a sudden wavered. "Nothing—much."
"And you? Nothing, too? Then how was the deception devised—the pact entered into—"
Her figure stiffened. "There was no pact."
"Treason, then? The law holds it treason to—"
"You are cruel; unjust!" she cried. "To me, as you were to him. That old man you had whipped! I wonder," impetuously, "if you are so to all of them, the people, the peasants. And if that is the reason they have only black looks for me—and hatred? As if they would like to curse us!"
He turned away. "I am very busy."
"Mon père!"
He walked to the door.
"Then you won't—won't spare them?"