"It's Chaudoreille," said the barber to himself, and he hastened that he might catch up with him. The little man, when he heard someone behind him, was seized with terror, and also tried to walk faster, but the unfortunate cloak entangled his legs at every step, and soon he felt himself pulled by the handle of his sword. He turned and was petrified at seeing the barber Touquet. "Where are you going, Chevalier Chaudoreille?" said the barber, in a mocking tone. "Where am I going? By jingo! How are you, my good friend?" "You clown," said the barber, "I've heard some fine things about you." "One mustn't believe all that one hears, my dear Touquet." "And don't you think I ought to believe monsieur le marquis? It was you who told him about Blanche, despite your vows." "You know very well that between ourselves an oath is not binding, and what have you to complain of? I was the means of your obtaining a large sum of money." "And do you serve Julia now?" "Yes, I serve Julia. I will serve you, if you wish, I will serve anybody; I have always been very obliging." "Where is Julia?" "She wishes to preserve her incognito." "Answer, wretch, no more lies." "Ow! leave go of my ear, you are hurting me. We are lodging in this village at the inn; there is only one here. Julia passes as my sister, and I for a Moor of Granada, professor of castanets." "What are Julia's plans?" "The devil carry me away if I have any idea of them. She passes her days and a part of her nights in prowling about the chateau, like a fox watching a chicken. Between ourselves I believe she's a little cracked." "And with what design did she bring you here?" "Simply to keep her company. She likes my society very much, I sing villanelles to her." "Listen to me, I ought to break your back to punish you for what you've done." "O my dear Touquet, that was a joke." "Get along with you, I despise you too much to strike you." "That's very civil on your part." "Have you told me the truth?" "If you doubt it, come with me to the inn. Julia will not be long before she comes in." "No, I can't go there this evening; but I forbid you to say a word to her about our meeting." "As soon as you forbid me, it's as if you had cut out my tongue." "If I don't find Julia tomorrow in the place you have told me of, monsieur le marquis himself will see that you are punished, and this time there will be no quarter given you." "You may be sure I'll obey you." "Good-by, I'm going back to the chateau." "And I to the village--where I shall not await your visit," said Chaudoreille, in a low tone, gathering his cloak up under his arm that he might walk more quickly.