In either case, hazarding a proposal, or hesitating still,
he must certainly lose her in the end. By the commencement of spring,
his mind was made up.
One fine afternoon, in the month of April, he bent his steps towards the
residence of Madame d'Arlange, having truly need of more bravery than
a soldier about to face a battery. He, like the soldier, whispered to
himself, "Victory or death!" The marchioness who had gone out shortly
after breakfast had just returned in a terrible rage, and was uttering
screams like an eagle.
This was what had taken place. She had some work done by a neighboring
painter some eight or ten months before; and the workman had presented
himself a hundred times to receive payment, without avail. Tired of this
proceeding, he had summoned the high and mighty Marchioness d'Arlange
before the Justice of the Peace.
This summons had exasperated the marchioness; but she kept the matter
to herself, having decided, in her wisdom, to call upon the judge and
request him to reprimand the insolent painter who had dared to plague
her for a paltry sum of money. The result of this fine project may be
guessed. The judge had been compelled to eject her forcibly from his
office; hence her fury.
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