And had Bertrand not wished to marry Elise? But
yes, he had wished to marry Elise! Then why, in
God's name, had she been so stubborn? If those two
had only been safely married, all this miserable worry
could not have arisen.
But the worry augmented by leaps and bounds, for
poor Goundran must learn that a lion at bay is a
lamb when compared with an amorous woman who,
instead of a child, has conceived a grievance.
Madame Roustan had waited more than eight years,
but now at long last she could take her revenge
through the spreading of purely fictitious scandal.
It was easy enough, since who can be certain of what
transpires in the house of a neighbour? Goundran
had shared a roof with the youthful Elise, he being a
man, she being a woman, though as Madame
Roustan was careful to insist, Elise was more sinned
against than sinning. A crippled old aunt almost
totally blind had naturally not proved an adequate
protection; why, they might have made love right
under her nose — they had done, according to Madame
Roustan! But-what would you? the girl was as ripe
as a peach on a southern slope, while as for Goundran.
. . . Ah, well, there it was, and all terribly sad; but
Elise was more sinned against than sinning.
At first Goundran could not believe his fears, it
seemed too monstrous a thing for credence; however,
before many days had passed, his ears were burning
with indignation. Yet what could he do? It was like
a pest that once thoroughly started, must spread its
infection, and quite soon the story had reached the
port, where it promptly afforded immense entertain-
ment. The men from the tartanes grew merry indeed.
Ho, ho, a dark horse, a most crafty devil! No wonder he
went out so seldom at night — Mathilde's house had
provided sufficient amusement. Sacre Nom d'un Nom,
and he to pretend that he could not see the attraction
167