They departed, Marianne carrying the parcels, which she insisted on taking under her charge. "We are going back," she said, "like traders who have been unlucky at the fair; we are as heavily laden as when we set out."
They found the door of the house locked; for, as Marianne was no longer there to attend to it, Madame Ballier had carried away the key with her when she went out. This incident, which Louis might have expected, vexed him exceedingly; he had not yet entirely given up all hopes of going to join his friends in the country, after having reinstalled Marianne at home; but this now became, at least, doubtful, and every moment of delay increased the chance of its being impossible. However, nothing was to be done but to wait; so Louis seated himself on the bench at the door, and did wait, but with a degree of bitterness which every minute of impatience rendered worse. Madame Ballier did not return till ten o'clock at night. Louis sprang up hastily, and his aunt uttered a cry of alarm, for she had not seen either him or Marianne in the dark corner in which they had seated themselves. However, the servant of one of Madame Ballier's friends, who had accompanied her home with a lantern, and to whom she had given the key, began to unlock the door: Louis did not feel sure of being admitted without a contest; fortunately, however, Barogo, who poked his nose in at the door the moment it was a little opened, immediately got scent of Robinet, and pushing it back still farther with his head, bounded into the house, barking with all his might, as he pursued the cat. Madame Ballier rushed in after him, Louis followed his aunt, and Marianne followed him; the door was closed, and every thing fell naturally into its place.
Madame Ballier's Return, p. 200.
Nevertheless, it was necessary for Louis to come to some explanation with his aunt. He prepared himself for it, and endeavoured to summon all the moderation of which he was capable, when he met her at the door of his room, carrying Robinet in her arms. She asked him sharply why he had not brought the locksmith to open the street door as well as that of the wardrobe?
"Since you knew that it was I who had the drawers opened," cried Louis, his anger already excited, as his principal motive for returning had been to explain this matter, "why, aunt, did you threaten to take Marianne before the Justice of the Peace? I came back purposely to prevent you from making such a scandal."
"You are much needed, truly, young gentleman, to prevent scandals," replied Madame Ballier, more and more irritated; "if you came here only to tell me that, you had better return into the country."
"That is what I purpose doing to-morrow morning," said Louis.
"But not, I beg," replied Madame Ballier, "until I have written a letter to Monsieur Lebeau, which you will be so good as to deliver to him, requesting him to take charge of you, as I will have nothing more to do with you."
"I will carry no such letter!" exclaimed Louis, who again began to think of the arrival of his father and mother.