What have you been at again since morning ?" Fougas gave her a twirl on her feet and found himself face to face with the engineer.

Leon had heard the sound of a quarrel, and on seeing the Colonel excited, with flashing eyes, he expected some brutal aggression and did not wait for the first blow.

A struggle took place in the passage amid the cries of Gothon, M.Renault and the poor old lady, who was screaming: "Murder!" Leon wrestled, kicked, and from time to time launched a vigorous blow into the body of his antagonist.

He had to succumb, nevertheless; the Colonel finished by upsetting him on the ground and holding him there.

Then he kissed him on both cheeks and said to him: "Ah! You naughty boy! Now I'm pretty sure to make you listen to me! I am Clementine's grandfather, and I give her to you in marriage, and you can have the wedding to-morrow if you want to! Do you hear?
Now get up, and don't you punch me in the stomach any more.