"Who permitted you to enter here?" he said, savagely, "and what do you
desire? They sent you to play the spy on me, did they? Leave, I tell
you!"
The three farmers were even more bewildered and dismayed than the
gardener had been, and their remarks must have been interesting.
But M. Lacheneur could not hear them. He had opened the door of the
grand salon, and dashed in, followed by his frightened daughter.
Never had Marie-Anne seen her father in such a mood; and she trembled,
her heart torn by the most frightful presentiments.
She had heard it said that oftentimes, under the influence of some dire
calamity, unfortunate men have suddenly lost their reason entirely; and
she was wondering if her father had become insane.
It would seem, indeed, that such was the case. His eyes flashed,
convulsive shudders shook his whole body, a white foam gathered on his
lips.
He made the circuit of the room as a wild beast makes the circuit of his
cage, uttering harsh imprecations and making frenzied gestures.
His actions were strange, incomprehensible.
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