“Oh, it’s too much!”

And no doubt she was suggesting something abominable to him; for the tax-collector⁠—yet he was brave, had fought at Bautzen and at Lutzen, had been through the French campaign, and had even been recommended for the cross⁠—suddenly, as at the sight of a serpent, recoiled as far as he could from her, crying⁠—

“Madame! what do you mean?”

“Women like that ought to be whipped,” said Madame Tuvache.

“But where is she?” continued Madame Caron, for she had disappeared whilst they spoke; then catching sight of her going up the Grande Rue, and turning to the right as if making for the cemetery, they were lost in conjectures.