"My business is private."
"I transact his private business too—that which his wife cannot do. Would you prefer his wife to me? It must be either the one or the other."
The woman started towards the door in a rage. He stepped between. "You cannot see the Notary."
"I'll see his wife, then—"
"That would only put the fat in the fire. His wife would not listen to you. She is quick-tempered, and she fancies she has reasons for not liking you."
"She's a fool. I haven't been always particular, but as for Narcisse
Dauphin—"
"He has been a good friend to you at some expense, the world says."
The woman struggled with herself. "The world lies!" she said at last.
"But he doesn't. The village was against you once. That was when the Notary, with the Seigneur, was for you—it has cost him something ever since, I'm told. You've never thanked him."
"He has tortured me for years, the oily, smirking, lying—"