“Is he bold and intrepid?”
“Yes; but, above all, to be relied on. Try him, you will be well satisfied.”
Lichtenbach’s countenance grew dark, as it always did every time a subject was mentioned which did not please him, and he said in arrogant tones—
“Much obliged, but I do not deal in drama; comedy is sufficient for me.”
“Ah! You’re fond of a joke. You are still one of those good apostles who insinuate a crime, have it executed, and then exclaim in candid tones, ‘I have had nothing to do with it!’ Have you had nothing to do with this affair at Vanves, I should like to know?”
This time Elias became quite angry.
“Silence! What are you thinking of to cry out in such a loud voice? Are we the only ones in the house?”
She burst into a laugh.
“Well, well! You amuse me! For an hour you have been telling me my own history, without the slightest precaution, and when I make the slightest allusion to your’s you tremble with fear. You do not mind compromising me, but not yourself. Very kind of you.”
“My daughter is here, and I have no wish—”