"You are insolent! It is not worth my while to reply to you. You may tell my goddaughter…."
The door opened, and Esperance, who had been kept awake by the noise of their voices, appeared to know what was the matter!
"Ah! there you are. I will say good-bye! Your cavaliers annoy me."
He threw a furious glance towards Jean, who had not spoken a word. It is a fact that the majority of people cherish more rancour against the witness of an insult than against the insulter himself.
"I will not be present at your triumph—as they call it. I am going to your father and shall tell him everything."
"My father, godfather, knows that I always tell the truth; he will await my return to judge my actions and those of my dear comrades."
Adhemar pulled on his hat and stormed out of the room, swelling with wounded dignity.
Esperance blew a kiss to the two young men.
"Now I am going to sleep until dinner time. I have just three-quarters of an hour. Do not forget, my loyal attendants, that we dine at six-thirty," she added with a sweeping courtesy, and disappeared, light of heart at the departure of her godfather.