For some little time past Mignon had been prowling in the adjoining passage, and the very moment Bordenave began talking of a modification of their agreement he burst into wrathful protest.  It was infamous—­they wanted to spoil his wife’s career—­he’d go to law about it!  Bordenave, meanwhile, was extremely calm and full of reasons.  He did not think the part worthy of Rose, and he preferred to reserve her for an operetta, which was to be put on after the Petite Duchesse.  But when her husband still continued shouting he suddenly offered to cancel their arrangement in view of the offers which the Folies-Dramatiques had been making the singer.  At this Mignon was momentarily put out, so without denying the truth of these offers he loudly professed a vast disdain for money.  His wife, he said, had been engaged to play the Duchess Helene, and she would play the part even if he, Mignon, were to be ruined over it.  His dignity, his honor, were at stake!  Starting from this basis, the discussion grew interminable.  The manager, however, always returned to the following argument:  since the Folies had offered Rose three hundred francs a night during a hundred performances, and since she only made a hundred and fifty with him, she would be the gainer by fifteen thousand francs the moment he let her depart.  The husband, on his part, did not desert the artist’s position.  What would people say if they saw his wife deprived of her part?  Why, that she was not equal to it; that it had been deemed necessary to find a substitute for her!  And this would do great harm to Rose’s reputation as an artist; nay, it would diminish it.  Oh no, no!  Glory before gain!  Then without a word of warning he pointed out a possible arrangement:  Rose, according to the terms of her agreement, was pledged to pay a forfeit of ten thousand francs in case she gave up the part.  Very well then, let them give her ten thousand francs, and she would go to the Folies-Dramatiques.  Bordenave was utterly dumfounded while Mignon, who had never once taken his eyes off the count, tranquilly awaited results.

“Then everything can be settled,” murmured Muffat in tones of relief; “we can come to an understanding.”

“The deuce, no!  That would be too stupid!” cried Bordenave, mastered by his commercial instincts.  “Ten thousand francs to let Rose go!  Why, people would make game of me!”

But the count, with a multiplicity of nods, bade him accept.  He hesitated, and at last with much grumbling and infinite regret over the ten thousand francs which, by the by, were not destined to come out of his own pocket he bluntly continued: 

“After all, I consent.  At any rate, I shall have you off my hands.”

For a quarter of an hour past Fontan had been listening in the courtyard.  Such had been his curiosity that he had come down and posted himself there, but the moment he understood the state of the case he went upstairs again and enjoyed the treat of telling Rose.  Dear me!  They were just haggling in her behalf!  He dinned his words into her ears; she ran off to the property room.  They were silent as she entered.  She looked at the four men.  Muffat hung his head; Fauchery answered her questioning glance with a despairing shrug of the shoulders; as to Mignon, he was busy discussing the terms of the agreement with Bordenave.