"Let her come in, if she wishes," cried the baron. "But in spite of all the petticoats in Germany, I repeat that I have seen Létorière kill a deer with his own hand, and that he can drink as much as I can." "And in spite of all the hunters, whippers-in, and drinkers in Germany," cried Dr. Sphex, "I maintain that I have heard Létorière recite verses of Persius, and comment upon them more learnedly than the most learned professors of our universities could do. And you will never make me believe, baron, that so erudite a man, with such a refined mind, could hunt in the forest like a poacher, or drink like a pandour." "And I, in spite of all the professors, all the huntsmen, all the drinkers in the empire, will maintain that I have seen Létorière tremble like a child before my wife, who was obliged to reassure him, and that I heard him quote Scripture as piously as a minister," cried Flachsinfingen,--exasperated in his turn. "One need only to see the Marquis to be assured there is nothing in his appearance or manner that smacks of the gladiator." The _conseillère_ entered in the midst of these contradictory allegations. "I doubt not, gentlemen," said Flachsinfingen, "that my wife will be able to bring you into agreement; thus far she has been a stranger to our discussion, and--" But Martha did not let her husband finish; addressing the doctor and baron with an affable and complimentary air,-- "Nothing is talked of, gentlemen, but the success of the Marquis of Létorière; permit me to congratulate you on this unexpected unanimity of judgment. . . . Thanks to your wise agreement, gentlemen, it may be said that the cause of innocence and religion has triumphed! In my opinion this poor child Létorière represents, in a wonderful degree, innocence and religion in their moral as well as physical aspects, if I may so express myself, for he has the look of an angel." "There,--what did I tell you, gentlemen?" cried Flachsinfingen. "And what devil of an angel and a child are you talking about, if you please, madam?" asked the baron. The lady replied, rather sharply: "I speak, sir, of a poor child whom you know as well as I do, for you tried to make him drink, smoke and hunt, the innocent creature! when he went to visit you in order to interest you in his lawsuit. Oh, I know all, _Monsieur le Baron_; but escaping from your temptations, this angel courageously resisted; he drank water, as pure as his soul, and was not afraid to remind you of your religious duties, which you had forgotten . . ." "But, zounds, madame!" cried the baron, "you don't know him." . . . "I know all, I know all, I tell you," replied the lady, volubly; "but I forgive you, seeing by your vote that the might of innocence has been sufficient to overcome your unjust prejudices." The baron was confounded, and said to himself: "If this lasts ten minutes longer, I shall have an apoplectic fit, I'm sure of it." . . .