"I don't care! I must admit that she's a good creature, after all. Ah! I wouldn't have been the one to go! You might have called up a dozen gendarmes, and I'd just have said: _Zut!_" I paced the floor without a word; I was vexed and angry. After five minutes, Rosette exclaimed: "I say, monsieur, when are you going to stop stalking around your room, like the Bear of Berne? Why, you ought to have begged my pardon ten times for the tricks you play on me! For it's a perfect outrage, the way you treat me!" "If anyone ought to ask pardon, mademoiselle, you are the one; for, without any motive or reason, you have insulted a most estimable lady, a person who should be out of reach of your suspicions and your attacks. I had told you before that there was nothing in my relations with her to arouse your jealousy; and because you find her in my room, where she has not been since the day of the polka, you make a scene, and say things to her that are worse than unbecoming. It is all wrong, and I am very angry with you." "Hoity-toity! You're angry with me, are you? Ah! you're a nice man, you are! You are annoyed because I caught you in--vicious conversation, as the bewigged men say! After all, what did I say that was so mortifying to your fine lady? Nothing at all! Ah! if I had pulled her hair out or torn her dress, then you might say something!" "That would have been the last straw! Do you suppose I would have allowed that?" "If I'd taken a fancy to do it, you wouldn't have had time to stop me--my good friend. I wouldn't have asked your leave." "Mademoiselle Rosette, you are very wrong-headed." "That may be; but you can take me or leave me." I said nothing, but continued to pace the floor. After a considerable time, Mademoiselle Rosette sprang to her feet. "Well! so that's the way it is, eh?--Bonsoir!" She rushed from the room, and I heard her slam one door after another till she was in the hall. She had gone, and gone in a rage. No matter! I could not allow her to insult my visitors without the slightest cause. If I should allow it, with her temperament Mademoiselle Rosette would soon pass from words to deeds. I said to myself that she would calm down and come back to me. I did not believe that she was vixenish at heart. Those people who fly into a rage so quickly do not let the sun go down on their wrath. XXXVII ROSETTE'S SEVEN AUNTS Several days passed and I heard nothing of my grisette. But I went to see Frédérique, whom I found at home, and who greeted me with evident pleasure. I did not mention Rosette; but I saw in her eyes that she was burning to know the situation of my amour with her. At last, she could contain herself no longer. "Well, my friend," she said, "you say nothing of your love affairs. I trust, however, that I am still your confidante; and you surely must have been content with my conduct the last time I came to see you."