A strange expression crossed the drawn face of the hunchback, as he knelt to put on the boot.
“Monsieur expects to be married soon?� he asked quietly.
“Dame de Dieu, I do not know!� de Baudri exclaimed with a laugh; “my little white bird likes to use her wings, but—I mean to clip them.�
Le Bossu smoothed the leather on the officer’s ankle, and arranged the buckle, his head bent low over his work.
“Monsieur plans for an early marriage, then?� he ventured again.
M. de Baudri stared at him.
“Au diable!� he said harshly; “what is it to you, worm?�
The cobbler made no reply; he was accustomed to such language from his patrons. He had put both boots on M. de Baudri’s feet, and he sat back now on his own heels, looking at his work.
“Is monsieur satisfied?� he asked meekly.
The officer stood up, looking down at his feet.