But once again Marescal lost his temper; he spat out the cheese and growled:
“Imbecile! Idiot! You’re the blockhead! Do you know what you’ve done?”
“Certainly. I’ve rescued Aurelie. Her step-father is taking her back to Paris; and I’m going to join her there.”
“Her step-father!” cried Marescal. “You don’t know then?”
“What?”
“That’s he’s in love with her, her precious step-father!”
Ralph, of a sudden beside himself, buried his hands in Marescal’s hair, and tried to shake his strapped-up head. [[160]]
“Imbecile! Idiot! Why didn’t you tell me so, instead of hanging on my sermonizing lips? He’s in love with her, is he? The swine! Then everybody’s in love with that girl! A lot of silly brutes! Have you never looked at yourself in the glass? You, with your pomaded wig!”
He bent forward and added: “Listen to me, Marescal. I’m going to tear that little girl from her step-father. But leave her in peace. Don’t bother about us any more.”
“It’s impossible,” growled the Commissary savagely.