“Ah! I no longer say that, madame!”
“And will it always be necessary for your dog to come here in order to induce you to honor us with a visit?”
Paul was about to reply, when the dog, who up to that time had lain quietly at his feet, suddenly raised his head, pricked up his ears and gave a low, prolonged growl.
“Well, well! what is it, Ami?” said Agathe; “are you tired of staying with us? do you want to go?”
The dog seemed to be listening, and in a moment began to growl again.
“This is strange!” said Paul, “there must be a cause for this exhibition of temper on Ami’s part; his eyes are blazing and his hair is standing on end.”
Ami left the room abruptly and rushed into the garden, barking violently.
“There certainly is something wrong,” said Edmond; “perhaps some nocturnal prowler is passing the house.”
They had all followed the dog, which continued to bark, rushing against the wall, as if he wished to scale it.
“Mon Dieu! are we surrounded by robbers?” exclaimed Honorine.