But it served its purpose.

The other's face became instantly, grave.
"Calm yourself, I beg, monsieur," he cried, raising a soothing hand.

"I have offended you somewhere; that is plain.

There is something here that I do not altogether understand.

You say that Valerie has suffered on account of a promise given me?
To what are you referring ?" "They hold her a prisoner, monsieur, because they wish to wed her to Marius," answered Garnache, striving hard to cool his anger.
"Parfaitement! That much I understood." "Well, then, monsieur, is the rest not plain?
Because she is betrothed to you--" He paused.