"Diable! Girl, out of this!" he cried; "this is no place for thee. Go tothine aunt."

"She did bid me come and serve the supper for the strangers," repliedVictorine. "She herself will not come down."

"Go to the devil! Thou shalt not, and it is I that say it," shoutedVictor; and Victorine, terrified, fled back to Jeanne, and reported hergrandfather's words.

Poor Jeanne was at her wit's end now. "Why said he that?" she asked.

"I know not," said in reply Victorine, demurely. "He was in one of his greatrages, and I do think that the pigeons are rapid burning, by the smell."