After a brief resistance they broke and fled in wild panic
"Come, come, control your naughty tongue! Are you going to begin backbiting again? You are playing a mean part, Trumeau. I have never hinted to Maitre Quennebert all the nasty little ways in which you have tried to put a spoke in his wheel, for if he knew he would ask you to prove your words, and then you would look very foolish.".
"Not at all, I swear to you. On the contrary, if I were to tell all I know in his presence, it is not I who would be disconcerted. Oh! I am weary of meeting with nothing from you but snubs, scorn, and abuse. You think me a slanderer when I say, 'This gallant wooer of widows does not love you for yourself but for your money-bags. He fools you by fine promises, but as to marrying you--never, never!'"
"May I ask you to repeat that?" broke in Madame Rapally,
"Oh! I know what I am saying. You will never be Madame Quennebert."
"Jealousy has eaten away whatever brains you used to possess, Trumeau. Since I saw you last, cousin, important changes have taken place: I was just going to send you to-day an invitation to my wedding."
"Yes; I am to be married to-morrow."
"To-morrow? To Quennebert?" stammered Trumeau.
"To Quennebert," repeated the widow in a tone of triumph.
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