The widow had also perceived the presence of Vanslyperken almost as soon as the corporal, but a woman’s wits are more at their command on these occasions than a man’s.  She felt that all concealment was now useless, and she prepared for action.  At the same time, although ready to discharge a volley of abuse upon Vanslyperken, she paused, to ascertain how she should proceed.  Assuming an indifferent air, she said—­“Well, Mr Vanslyperken?”

“Well!” exclaimed Vanslyperken, but he could not speak for passion.

“Eaves-dropping, as usual, Mr Vanslyperken?”

“May the roof of this house drop on you, you infernal——.”

“No indelicate language, if you please, sir,” interrupted the widow, “I won’t put up with it in my house, I can tell you—­ho, ho, Mr Vanslyperken,” continued the widow, working herself into a rage, “that won’t do here, Mr Vanslyperken.”

“Why, you audacious—­you double-faced——­”

“Double-faced!—­it’s a pity you wer’n’t double-faced, as you call it, with that snivelling nose and crooked chin of yours.  Double-faced, heh!—­oh! oh!  Mr Vanslyperken—­we shall see—­wait a little—­we shall see who’s double-faced.  Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken—­that for you, Mr Vanslyperken—­I can hang you when I please, Mr Vanslyperken.  Corporal, how many guineas did you see counted out to him at the house opposite?”

During all this the corporal remained fixed and immovable with his hand up to the salute; but on being questioned by his mistress, he replied, remaining in the same respectful attitude.

“Fifty golden guineas, Mistress Vandersloosh.”

“A lie! an infamous lie!” cried Vanslyperken, drawing his sword.  “Traitor, that you are,” continued he to the corporal, “take your reward.”  This was a very critical moment.  The corporal did not attempt the defensive, but remained in the same attitude, and Vanslyperken’s rage at the falsehood of the widow, and the discovery of his treason was so great, that he had lost all command of himself.  Had not a third party come in just as Vanslyperken drew his sword, it might have gone hard with the corporal; but fortunately Babette came in from the yard, and perceiving the sword fly out of the scabbard, she put her hand behind the door, and snatched two long-handled brooms, one of which she put into the hands of her mistress, and retained the other herself.

“Take your reward!” cried Vanslyperken, running furiously to cut down the corporal.  But his career was stopped by the two brooms, one of which took him in the face, and the other in the chest.  The widow and Babette now ranged side by side, holding their brooms as soldiers do their arms in charge of bayonets.

How did the corporal act?  He retained his former respectful position, leaving the defensive or offensive in the hands of the widow and Babette.

This check on the part of Vanslyperken only added to his rage.  Again he flew with his sword at the corporal, and again he was met with the besoms in his face.  He caught one with his hand, and he was knocked back with the other.  He attempted to cut them in two with his sword, but in vain.