She took him by the arm, and kissed him, and embraced him as gently as could be, praying to God that he would not be angry.
The poor blockhead said that he was not angry with her, because she knew nothing about it, but that he would certainly punish her women.
“By my oath, sir,” said she, “they are well revenged upon you—for I expect you have done something to them.”
“Not I certainly, that I know of—but at any rate the trick they have played me will cost them dear.”
He had hardly finished this speech, when all the women came into the room, and laughed so loudly and so heartily that they could not say a word for a long time; and Monsieur, who was going to do such wonders, when he saw them laugh to such a degree, had not the heart to interfere with them. Madame, to keep him company, did not fail to laugh also. There was a marvellous amount of laughing, and he who had the least cause to laugh, laughed one of the loudest.
After a certain time, this amusement ceased, and Monsieur said;
“Mesdames, I thank you much for the kindness you have done me.”
“You are quite welcome, sir,” said one of the women, “and still we are not quits. You have given us so much trouble, and caused as so much mischief, that we owed you a grudge, and if we have any regret it is that you did not remain in the box longer. And, in fact, if it had not been for Madame you would still be there;—so you may take it how you will!”
“Is that so?” said he. “Well, well, you shall see how I will take it. By my oath I am well treated, when, after all I have suffered, I am only laughed, at, and what is still worse, must pay for the satin for the petticoat. Really, I ought to have the shirts that were bet, as a compensation for what I have suffered.”
“By Heaven, he is right,” said the women. “We are on your side as to that, and you shall have them. Shall he not have them, Madame?”