“You will see no marriage here, I can tell you!” cried Bagsby, who at the first symptom of relief had taken shelter under the shadow of the Marquis. “I put myself under your protection; and, by Jove, if you don’t help me, I shall immediately complain to Lord Normanby!” “What is this?” cried Monte-Christo. “Do I see Monsieur Bagsby in a general’s uniform? Why, my good sir, you have become a naturalised Frenchman indeed! The nation has a claim upon you.” “The nation will find it very difficult to get it settled then!” said Bagsby. “But I want to get out. I say, can’t I get away?” “Certainly. There is nothing to prevent you. But I am rather curious to hear about this marriage.” “Why,” said I, “the truth is, my dear Marquis, that the subject is rather a delicate one for our friend. He has just been officiating in the capacity of bridegroom.” “You amaze me!” said Monte-Christo; “and which, may I ask, is the fair lady?” Here Demoiselle Céphyse came forward. “Citizen officer,” she said, “I want my husband!” “You hear, Monsieur Bagsby?” said Monte-Christo, in intense enjoyment of the scene. “The lady says she has a claim upon you.” “It’s all a lie!” shouted Bagsby. “I’ve got nothing to say to the woman. I hate and abhor her!” “_Monstre!_” shrieked the poissarde, judging of Bagsby’s ungallant repudiation rather from his gestures than his words. And she sprang towards him with the extended talons of a tigress. Bagsby, however, was this time too nimble for her, and took refuge behind the ranks of the National Guard, who were literally in convulsions of laughter. “I will have thee, though, _polisson_!” cried the exasperated bride. “I will have thee, though I were to follow thee to the end of the world! Thou hast consented to be my husband, little _tisserand_, and I never will give thee up.” “Keep her off! good, dear soldiers,” cried Bagsby: “pray, keep her off! I shall be murdered and torn to pieces if she gets hold of me! Oh, Mr Dunshunner! do tell them to protect me with their bayonets.” “Be under no alarm, Mr Bagsby,” said Monte-Christo; “you are now under the protection of the National Guard. But to business. Which of the citizens assembled is spokesman here?” “I am the president!” hiccupped Jupiter Potard, who, throughout the morning, had been unremitting in his attentions to the bottle. “Then, you will understand that, by orders of the Provisional Government, all must evacuate the palace within a quarter of an hour.” “Louis Philippe had seventeen years of it,” replied Jupiter Potard. “I won’t abdicate a minute sooner!” “And I,” said Pomme-de-terre, “expect a handsome pension for my pains.” “Or at least,” said Saigne-du-nez, “we must have permission to gut the interior.” “You have done quite enough mischief already,” said Monte-Christo; “so prepare to move. My orders are quite peremptory, and I shall execute them to the letter!”