"Well, how about this urchin?" rejoined the hostess, talking away as she spitted her chickens; "is he one of your band? couldn't he help me?"
"Help her, good-for-naught," said Saccage to Mario, "and do your work neatly!"
Mario rose with affected indifference, and asked what he should do.
"What's that? go upstairs with the maid," cried Madame Pignoux, "and lay the cloth in a hurry."
Mario went up, and said to the servant:
"My father? which room is he in? Tell me quickly!"
She led him up to the second floor and the child scratched gently at the door, which was locked and bolted inside.
The marquis instantly recognized that little hand, which scratched so every morning at his bedroom door.
"O God!" he cried, hurriedly opening the door, "you here? But what does this costume mean? Whom did you come with? how? why?"
"I haven't any time to explain," replied Mario. "I am alone; I want you to escape from here. Do as I have done, father; disguise yourself."