CHAPTERV
ENEMIESFACETOFACE
Whilebreakfastwasinprogressatthechateau，Francois，thehead，footman，whisperedtoBlondet，butloudenoughforthegeneralto，overhearhim，——
“Monsieur，PereFourchon’sboyishere;hesaystheyhavecaughtthe，otter，andwantstoknowifyouwouldlikeit，orwhethertheyshall，takeittothesub-prefectatVille-aux-Fayes。”
EmileBlondet，thoughhimselfapast-masterofhoaxing，couldnotkeep，hischeeksfromblushinglikethoseofavirginwhohearsan，indecorousstoryofwhichsheknowsthemeaning。