He pitied the very baroness herself, and forgave her declining his
visit.
"Be silent," said he, "for shame! There is such a thing as noble
poverty; and you have described it. I might have disdained these people
in their prosperity, but I revere them in their affliction. And I'll
tell you what, don't you ever dare to speak slightly of them again in my
presence, or"--
He did not conclude his threat, for just then he observed that a
strapping girl, with a basket at her feet, was standing against the
corner of the Auberge, in a mighty careless attitude, but doing nothing,
so most likely listening with all her ears and soul. Dard, however, did
not see her, his back being turned to her as he sat; so he replied at
his ease,--
"I consent," said he very coolly: "that is your affair; but permit me,"
and here he clenched his teeth at remembrance of his wrongs, "to say
that I will no more be a scullery man without wages to these high-minded
starvelings, these illustrious beggars." Then he heated himself red-hot.
"I will not even be their galley slave. Next, I have done my last little
odd job in this world," yelled the now infuriated factotum, bouncing
up to his feet in brief fury.
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