'Your supper is
just ready. I thought that you would be in about this
time.'
He grinned as he spoke, and it was with difficulty I
suppressed my wrath.
'Mademoiselle de Cocheforet told you,' I said, affecting
indifference, 'where I was?'
'Ay, Mademoiselle--or Madame,' he replied, grinning
afresh.
So she had told him; where she had left me, and how she
had tricked me! She had, made me the village laughing-
stock! My rage flashed out afresh at the thought, and,
at the sight of his mocking face, I raised my fist.
But he read the threat in my eyes, and was up in a
moment, snarling, with his hand on his knife.
'Not again, Monsieur!' he cried, in his vile patois.
'My head is sore still. raise your hand and I will rip
you up as I would a pig!'
'Sit down, fool,' I said. 'I am not going to harm you.
Where is your wife?'
'About her business.'
'Which should be getting my supper,' I retorted.
He rose sullenly, and, fetching a platter, poured the
mess of broth and vegetables into it. Then he went to a
cupboard and brought out a loaf of black bread and a
measure of wine, and set them also on the table.
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