Part 21 (1/2)
Me, I was glad to slip aside unchallenged I had no desire to linger between that daht be, that dwelt in the fixity of her frown As a spectator I blotted myself in the shadows, to attend the next act of this hidden and soan, with an affectation wholly foreign to her rough voice, ”I have the felicity to inforain”
”I knew it,” murmured Bibi-Ri
”She resides at present under this poor roof”
He cast a nervous glance toward the stairway ”I knew that,” he said
”Ah? You know so an to doubt it”
She came to plant herself before hieon
”In that case be kind enough to sit, Monsieur Bibi-Ri Dear little Monsieur Bibi-Ri: we haveyour pockets full of news, it seems”
But it seemed on the other hand, not so I saw e-play: the ordeal he had now to meet
”You must excuse me, Madame I cannot remain and I have no news
Except that I drop this business on the spot Like a live coal, Madaht have disarmed any other
”I have done my best with Zelie Sad! Soer my true charer to which you said she was drifting Well--seeing her in the public ive her brotherly advice Madame--she repulsed me Like that! Would neither talk nor listen Said atched Said it was not safe
”Sapristi! You can believe I was ready to quit then and there! But presently I found a better reason--if I needed one, Madanized--can you guess? Why the ine Frouard her, perhaps! I saw hihed, with a catch in his throat ”No place for Bibi! Finished Rien ne va plus! For who a? And at the sa--in my present station, Madae? It was M de Nou!” he cried
Still she made no move
”And so--Bibi-Ri retires,” he concluded, unsteadily, edging for his exit ”I withdraw! You can find someone better fitted My tiain, I think In parting--”
”What!” It was like the break of a banking storain?' Forty devils! Do you know if you hadn't coe I would have had you haled by the leg? Why you two sous' worth! You think to e pickpocket tricks on ht you to use: and pay nothing for it?”
There was incredulity in her wrath: the measure pf her rude e to try that?” she h already with the other stubborn brat herself And now you! Have you altogether forgotten that I betrothed you myself tofroo?”
”You said it was so,” ader it was so, my boy And at that tiain with me?”
He made no denial
”You wept--sacred pipe! You called every saint to witness your gratitude Anything I wanted! Zelie? Of course You would always be the defense of that precious infant against the taint and the curse of Noued
”You swore by your own hope of salvation to save her--to pluck this pure flower fro-hill and marry her the very hour of your release
Your bridal trip should carry her away to France Are these your words?”
”I offered to,” he retorted ”But Zelie refused even then--you know she did! And so she has since”