“Sit down again, and be quiet; I command you.”

So much boldness and confidence surprised and pleased me at the same time.  The rights which she arrogated to herself over me were, in some measure, a sanction of those I claimed to have over her.

“You are right,” I answered, sitting down.

And I added, with a glance at Patience: 

“Some other time.”

“Amen,” he answered, shrugging his shoulders.

Marcasse had picked himself up with much composure, and shaking off the ashes with which he was covered, instead of finding fault with me, he tried, after his fashion to lecture Patience.  This was in reality by no means easy to do; yet nothing could have been less irritating than that monosyllabic censure throwing out its little note in the thick of a quarrel like an echo in a storm.

“At your age,” he said to his host; “not patient at all.  Wholly to blame—­yes—­wrong—­you!”

“How naughty you are!” Edmee said to me, putting her hand on my shoulder; “do not begin again, or I shall go away and leave you.”

I willingly let myself be scolded by her; nor did I realize that during the last minutes we had exchanged parts.  The moment we crossed the threshold of Gazeau Tower she had given evidence of that superiority over me which was really hers.  This wild place, too, these strange witnesses, this fierce host, had already furnished a taste of the society into which I had entered, and whose fetters I was soon to feel.

“Come,” she said, turning to Patience, “we do not understand each other here; and, for my part, I am devoured by anxiety about my poor father, who is no doubt searching for me, and wringing his hands at this very moment.  My good Patience, do find me some means of rejoining him with this unfortunate boy, whom I dare not leave to your care, since you have not sufficient love for me to be patient and compassionate with him.”

“What do you say?” said Patience, putting his hand to his brow as if waking from a dream.  “Yes, you are right; I am an old brute, an old fool.  Daughter of God, tell this boy, this nobleman, that I ask his pardon for the past, and that, for the present, my poor cell is at his disposal.  Is that well said?”

“Yes, Patience,” answered the cure.  “Besides, everything may be managed.  My horse is quiet and steady, and Mademoiselle de Mauprat can ride it, while you and Marcasse lead it by the bridle.  For myself, I will remain here with our invalid.  I promise to take good care of him and not to annoy him in any way.  That will do, won’t it, Monsieur Bernard?  You don’t bear me any ill-will, and you may be very sure that I am not your enemy.”

“I know nothing about it,” I answered; “it is as you please.  Look after my cousin; take her home safely.  For my own part, I need nothing and care for no one.  A bundle of straw and a glass of wine, that is all I should like, if it were possible to have them.”