“Very good,� he said at last, “they will do; but make your bill small, you little beggar, or you will see that I know how to use them!� and he laughed coarsely as he sat down and waited for Charlot to remove the boots and put on his others, which the hunchback began to do.
“Curse you, you dog!� he exclaimed, with a vicious kick at the shoemaker; “you hurt me in pulling that off!�
“I beg your pardon, monsieur,� le Bossu replied, with white lips, having dexterously dodged the kick.
He knew to his cost that there were some perils attendant upon trying on shoes. He had put back one of M. de Baudri’s high-heeled slippers and was taking off the other boot—with some caution—when the door was opened by a servant, who came to announce a visitor.
“A miserable old woman, monsieur,� the man said hesitatingly, “but she will not be denied.�
“Dame, send her to the devil—or to the Intendant!� retorted M. de Baudri, with a grin at his own joke.
The servant still stood at the door, with a perplexed face. His master cast a frowning glance in his direction.
“What is it, idiot?� he demanded.
“She has some information about these heretics, monsieur,� the fellow answered, stammering; “she wants money.�
“Âme de St. Denis!� exclaimed monsieur, with a sneer, “does she take me for a paymaster?�