To swallow such an affront in silence is hard.

Still, he is brave, there is no denying that; perhaps I can find some other way to provoke his anger.

But even then, what could I do?
If I harmed a hair of his head, Marie-Anne would never forgive me.

Ah! I would give a handsome sum in exchange for some little device to send him out of the country." Revolving in his mind these plans, whose frightful consequences he could neither calculate nor foresee, Martial was walking up the avenue leading to the chateau, when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
He turned, and seeing two men running after him and motioning him to stop, he paused.
It was Chupin, accompanied by one of his sons.
This old rascal had been enrolled among the servants charged with preparing Sairmeuse for the reception of the duke; and he had already discovered the secret of making himself useful to his master, which was by seeming to be indispensable.
"Ah, Monsieur," he cried, "we have been searching for you everywhere, my son and I.It was Monsieur le Duc----" "Very well," said Martial, dryly.

"I am returning----" But Chupin was not sensitive; and although he had not been very favorably received, he ventured to follow the marquis at a little distance, but sufficiently near to make himself heard.