Francine was so terrified that she could not move.
Why had not Aubé heard this noise? We will return to the lower floor.
Robeccal was disgusted when he saw Francine go up-stairs. He felt that the ground was cut from under his feet, and that he was to lose the reward he had been promised. He stole partly up the stairs and listened. He went on, and when the quarrel burst out and he saw the knife in the hand of the Vicomte, he rushed down the stairs, and summoned the men at the table, who were on the watch for a signal from him.
Aubé had heard Francine's cry and ran to her aid, but two of the men summoned by Robeccal stood before the door.
"Let me pass!" cried Aubé.
"Softly, good sir," was the reply. "Don't meddle in what does not concern you."
Furious at being thus braved in his own establishment, Aubé thrust the men aside, but was driven back by repeated blows.
He turned to his customers.
"Gentlemen!" he cried, "they are insulting a poor girl up-stairs. Help me to save her; it is the Marquise—the singer!"