"Hark.... I hear a noise...."
They listened and the widow went into the hall. She returned, furious, exasperated by her failure and by the scare which she had received:
"There's nobody there.... It must have been the neighbours going out.... We have plenty of time.... Ah, Lupin, you were beginning to make merry!... The knife, Gabriel."
"It's in my room."
"Go and fetch it."
Gabriel hurried away. The widow stamped with rage:
"I've sworn to do it!... You've got to suffer, my fine fellow!... I swore to Dugrival that I would do it and I have repeated my oath every morning and evening since.... I have taken it on my knees, yes, on my knees, before Heaven that listens to me! It's my duty and my right to revenge my dead husband!... By the way, Lupin, you don't look quite as merry as you did!... Lord, one would almost think you were afraid!... He's afraid! He's afraid! I can see it in his eyes!... Come along, Gabriel, my boy!... Look at his eyes!... Look at his lips!... He's trembling!... Give me the knife, so that I may dig it into his heart while he's shivering.... Oh, you coward!... Quick, quick, Gabriel, the knife!..."
"I can't find it anywhere," said the young man, running back in dismay. "It has gone from my room! I can't make it out!"
"Never mind!" cried the Widow Dugrival, half demented. "All the better! I will do the business myself."
She seized Lupin by the throat, clutched him with her ten fingers, digging her nails into his flesh, and began to squeeze with all her might. Lupin uttered a hoarse rattle and gave himself up for lost.