"Where do you stop, sir?" asked he of Darvon, in a voice trembling with anger.
"At Lyons," replied the latter.
"Very well, we will finish our explanation there."
"So be it."
Jacques, alarmed, wished to interpose, but his cousin and the soldier spoke at the same time, and repeated they would terminate this affair at Lyons.
At the same instant great cries were heard, and the diligence was overtaken by a wagon entirely covered with mud. Mademoiselle de Locherais put her head out of the coach-door.
"O Lord! what a misfortune," said she; "Monsieur Pierre Lepré has overtaken us. Now we will be completely filled up."
As soon as they reached the public conveyance, the commissioner of colonial produce jumped out of the wagon, and presented himself at the coach-door, which the conductor had just opened.
"Is this the way you go off without waiting for the passengers?" cried he, furious.
"I warned you three times," interposed the conductor.