Part 42 (1/2)
It was Trouet's turn to stare.
”Bah! comrade, you do not know him. I tell you he is my friend. It is I who brought him from England on purpose to teach those fools at Varenac to cry 'Vive la Revolution.'”
”I do not care what you say. He is a cursed aristo; I have seen him.”
Bertrand rubbed his back, scowling darkly over a sore memory.
”You have seen him?”
Marcel poured out a gla.s.s of wine and tossed it down at a gulp, indifferent just now as to flavour. He was getting excited.
”Yes, certainly. He would have killed me if it had not been for the girl. I tell you he is the most cursed aristo of them all.”
”Where was this? What girl? Quickly then, idiot! I will know what you say.”
Bertrand told his story. Alas! it was not only the story of Mademoiselle Cecile's rescue, but more also that he had learnt by spying and close tracking of his enemy.
All was soon clear to Monsieur Trouet.
This fool of an Englishman had fallen in love--with an aristo. He was judge enough of men to guess the rest.
”And he has gone to Varenac?”
”Certainly!”
”And the people?”
”Will be as ready to cry 'Vive le roi,' as 'Vive la nation,' when he bids them.”
”He has already----”
”No, no! There has been some delay. I do not altogether understand, for old Pierre Koustak at the Manor is a fool too; but I believe M'nsieur le Marquis is there alone. He waits for a friend.”
”Nom d'un chien! a friend will arrive. Mille diables! a friend will arrive.”
Marcel tossed off another gla.s.s of wine thirstily--it might have been the commonest vintage--and Jean Gouicket, watching, was filled with exquisite pain at the sight.
”En avant!” screamed Marcel, springing to his feet.
Instantly the parlour of Le Bon Camarade was in confusion.
All talked at once, and none knew what they talked of, saving that it was in the cause of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Poor Jean Gouicket wished devoutly that there would be less of the latter and more honesty in payment; but he dared not ask for his money, recalling the fate of a parsimonious landlord at Vannes.
All things, especially wine, were common in this great bond of brotherhood.
At last Marcel made himself heard.