"Hmmm. Like Gilles de Rais, who asked the demon for 'knowledge, power, riches,' all that humanity covets, to be deeded to him by a title signed with his own blood."
[!-- Page 52 --]CHAPTER V]
"Come right in and get warm. Ah, messieurs, you must not do that any more," said Mme. Carhaix, seeing Durtal draw from his pocket some bottles wrapped in paper, while Des Hermies placed on the table some little packages tied with twine. "You mustn't spend your money on us."
"Oh, but you see we enjoy doing it, Mme. Carhaix. And your husband?"
"He is in the tower. Since morning he has been going from one tantrum into another."
"My, the cold is terrible today," said Durtal, "and I should think it would be no fun up there."
"Oh, he isn't grumbling for himself but for his bells. Take off your things."
They took off their overcoats and came up close to the stove.
"It isn't what you would call hot in here," said Mme. Carhaix, "but to thaw this place you would have to keep a fire going night and day."