"In that case, monsieur, do you act in my place," the marquis replied.
There was something of humility and something of flattery in that laconic reply, and yet there was perhaps a touch of irony in it as well.
"Who knows," said Emile to himself, "that this old misanthrope isn't a pitiless satirist? Very well; I will defend myself."
"I am ready to do all that is in my power to do for your protégé," he replied; "and if I fail, it will be for lack of ability, not for lack of energy and good-will."
Perhaps the marquis did not understand this rebuke. He seemed impressed only by one word which Emile then used for the second time, and he repeated it in a sort of dazed reverie.
"Protégé," said he, sighing after his wont.
"I should have said your debtor," rejoined Emile, who already regretted his precipitation and feared that he might have injured the carpenter. "By whatever name you would have me call him, monsieur le marquis, the man is overflowing with gratitude for your kindness to him, and, if he had dared, he would have come with me to thank you again."
A slight flush tinged Monsieur de Boisguilbault's cheeks for an instant, and he replied in a less hesitating tone:
"I hope he will leave me in peace hereafter."
Emile was wounded by this rebuff and he could not resist the impulse to manifest his feeling.