I am no match for him.' 'Then M.de Rosny was wrong, was he ?' I said, giving way to my anger.
'If it please you,' he answered pertly.
This was too much for me.

My riding-switch lay handy, and I snatched it up.

Before he knew what I would be at, I fell upon him, and gave him such a sound wholesome drubbing as speedily brought him to his senses.
When he cried for mercy--which he did not for a good space, being still possessed by the peevish devil which had ridden him ever since his departure from Rosny--I put it to him again whether M.de Rosny was not right.

When he at last admitted this, but not till then, I threw the whip away and let him go, but did not cease to reproach him as he deserved.
'Did you think,' I said, 'that I was going to be ruined because you would not use your lazy brains?
That I was going to sit still, and let you sulk, while mademoiselle walked blindfold into the toils?
Not at all, my friend!' 'Mademoiselle!' he exclaimed, looking at me with a sudden change of countenance, end ceasing to rub himself and scowl, as he had been doing.
'She is not here, and is in no danger.' 'She will be here to-morrow, or the next day,' I said.
You did not tell me that!' he replied, his eyes glittering.

'Does Father Antoine know it ?' 'He will know it the moment she enters the town,' I answered.
Noting the change which the introduction of mademoiselle's name into the affair had wrought in him, I felt something like humiliation.