He greeted her, instead, with a complaint.
"Will you permit me, Mademoiselle, to say that in this matter you have hardly chosen the wiser course ?" "In what matter ?" quoth she, at a loss to understand him.
"In the matter of my release.

I advised you in my letter to purchase my freedom.

Had you done so, we should now be in a position to start for the frontier--for you would have made a passport a part of your bargain.
Instead of this, not only are we obliged to run the risk of waiting, but even if this fellow should return, we shall be affronted by his company for some days to come." And the Vicomte sniffed the air in token of disgust.
Suzanne looked at him in an amazement that left her speechless for a moment.

At last: "And this is your gratitude ?" she demanded.

"This is all that you have to say in thanks for the discomfort and danger that I have suffered on your behalf?
Your tone is oddly changed since you wrote me that piteous, pitiable letter from Belgium, M.le Vicomte." He reddened slightly.
"I am afraid that I have been clumsy in my expressions," he apologised.
"But never doubt my gratitude, Mademoiselle.