The marquis did not listen to the brigand's threats; he felt that the crisis had come, and pushed Mario out of the room, saying:
"Go down stairs, my wife is calling you!"
Then he turned resolutely and faced La Proserpine, and looked her in the eye with that lofty dignity which only the brave man can summon to his aid against cowardly adversaries.
Despite her master's burlesque attire, Bellinde could not escape a sensation of respect and remorse. She held in her hands the life of the man whom she desired to humble and rob, but not to torture and murder. She hesitated another moment, then said:
"Faith, Master Pignoux, I do recognize you now! but mordi! you are much changed! Have you been very sick, pray?"
"Yes, madame," replied Bois-Doré, touched by her kindly impulse; "I have had a fatiguing time in my house since I was compelled to part with a person who served me well."
"I know whom you mean," rejoined Bellinde. "She was a treasure whom you didn't appreciate and turned out-of-doors like a dog. Yes, yes, I know how it happened. You were entirely in the wrong, and now you regret it! But it's too late, you see! she will never serve you again!"
"She will do well never to serve anyone, if she can do without it; but I flatter myself that, wherever she may be, she has not forgotten my generosity to her. I dismissed her without a word of reproach and did not treat her stingily; she may have told you so."
"Enough; we will speak of this later. Serve us with your best, and now go back to your work, old man. Go!"
As he went out, he saw her whisper to one of her men.