Do you want to deprive us of
the patronage of all gentlefolk by vulgar appeals to the low passions
of the mob?"
Andre-Louis stepped past M. Binet and forward to the table. He
shrugged contemptuously. The man offended him, after all.
"You exaggerate grossly - as usual."
"I do not exaggerate. And I am the master in my own theatre. This
is the Binet Troupe, and it shall be conducted in the Binet way."
"Who are the gentlefolk the loss of whose patronage to the Feydau
will be so poignantly felt?" asked Andre-Louis.
"You imply that there are none? See how wrong you are. After the
play to-night M. le Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr came to me, and spoke
to me in the severest terms about your scandalous outburst. I was
forced to apologize, and... "
"The more fool you," said Andre-Louis. "A man who respected himself
would have shown that gentleman the door." M. Binet's face began
to empurple. "You call yourself the head of the Binet Troupe, you
boast that you will be master in your own theatre, and you stand
like a lackey to take the orders of the first insolent fellow who
comes to your green-room to tell you that he does not like a line
spoken by one of your company! I say again that had you really
respected yourself you would have turned him out.
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