"I wish to conduct this lady, Mlle. de Kercadiou, back to her uncle
who resides there."
"Is that all? Another day will do for that, madame. The matter is
not pressing."
"Pardon, monsieur, to us the matter is very pressing."
"You have not convinced me of it, and the barriers are closed to all
who cannot prove the most urgent and satisfactory reasons for wishing
to pass. You will wait, madame, until the restriction is removed.
Good-evening."
"But, monsieur... "
"Good-evening, madame," he repeated significantly, a dismissal more
contemptuous and despotic than any royal "You have leave to go."
Madame went out with Aline. Both were quivering with the anger that
prudence had urged them to suppress. They climbed into the coach
again, desiring to be driven home.
Rougane's astonishment turned into dismay when they told him what
had taken place. "Why not try the Hotel de Ville, madame?" he
suggested.
"After that? It would be useless. We must resign ourselves to
remaining in Paris until the barriers are opened again.
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