When she looked at her father again there was something very bright and intent in her expression.
"Very well, my father," she said; "it is understood that you denounce me. Do you perhaps suppose that I shall hold my tongue?"
"Say what you like, and be damned to you!" shouted Mathieu.
Jean Jacques clenched his hands and took a step forward, but his wife's expression checked him.
"I may say what I like?" she observed.
"The more the better. Why, see here, Madelon, if you will give evidence against Ange Desaix and her niece, I 'll do my best to get you off."
"Why, what has Mlle Ange to do with it?" said Madelon, open-eyed.
Leroux became speechless for a moment. Then he swore volubly, and cursed Madelon for a liar.
"A liar, and a damned fool!" he spluttered. "For now I 'll not lift a finger for you, my girl, and when you see the guillotine ready for you, perhaps you 'll wish you 'd kept a civil tongue in your head."
"Enough!" said Madelon sharply. "Let us understand each other. If you speak, I speak too. If you accuse me, I accuse you."