Jehan looked quickly and fearfully over his shoulder. But all was quiet. "He said he had forgotten that your husband was dark," he stammered.
"Dark!" madame muttered in astonishment.
"Yes, dark-complexioned," Jehan continued desperately. "And that being so, you were not to take the--the charm yourself."
Madame's eyes flashed with anger. "Oh!" she said, "indeed! And is that all?"
"But to give it to him, without telling him," the boy rejoined, with sudden spirit and firmness.
Madame started and drew a deep breath. "Are you sure you have made no mistake?" she said, trying to read the boy's face. But it was too dark for that.
"Quite sure," he answered hardily.
"Oh," madame said, slowly and thoughtfully; "very well. Is that all?"
"That is all," he replied, drawing back a step; but reluctantly, as it seemed.
Margot, who had been all the time moving a little nearer and a little nearer, came right up at this. "Now, my lady," she said sharply, "I beg you will have done. This is no place for us at this time of night, and this little imp of Satan ought to be about his business. I am sure I am perishing with cold, and the sound of those creaking boats on the river makes me think of nothing but gibbets and corpses, till I have got the creeps all down my back! And the watch will be here presently."