The young people were so close, that they would have been surprised in the arms of each other, if Montalais had not violently pushed Malicorne, with his back against the door, just then opening.

A loud cry, followed by angry reproaches, immediately resounded.

It was Madame de Saint-Remy who uttered the cry and the angry words.

The unlucky Malicorne almost crushed her between the wall and the door she was coming in at.
"It is again that good-for-nothing!" cried the old lady.

"Always here!" "Ah, madame!" replied Malicorne, in a respectful tone; "it is eight long days since I was here.".