"If your uncle shows it, very well; but that won't be me showing it. He gave me his orders and I must obey him."
He saw by her resolute attitude that if he wanted the paper he would have to take it from her by force. But then, if he did so, she would probably call out. He did not dare go as far as that.
"I am delighted to see how faithfully you carry out my uncle's orders, even in trivial things," he said, sarcastically, leaving the room.
When he had gone and closed the door Perrine tried to go on with her work, but she was so upset she found it impossible to do so. She knew that Theodore was not delighted, as he had said, but furious. If he intended to make her pay for thwarting his will, how could she defend herself against such a powerful enemy? He could crush her with the first blow and she would have to leave.
The door was again opened and Talouel, with gliding step, came into the room. His eyes fell at once on the letter.
"Well, how is the translation of that letter from Dacca coming along?" he asked.
"I have only just commenced it," replied Perrine timidly.
"M. Theodore interrupted you just now. What did he want?"
"Did he want to know what was in the letter?" asked Talouel.
"I had only commenced the first phrase," said Perrine, evasively.
"You don't ask me to believe that you have not read it?"
"Because M. Vulfran has forbidden me to speak of this letter."
"You know very well that M. Vulfran and I are as one. All of his orders pass by me; all favors that he bestows are also passed by me. I have to know all that concerns him."
"Does that letter relate to personal affairs then?" asked Talouel.
She realized that she had let herself be caught.
"I did not say that," she said. "I said that in case it was a personal letter, ought I to let you know the contents?"
"I certainly should know," said Talouel, "if it relates to personal affairs. Do you know that he is ill from worrying over matters which might kill him? If he now received some news that might cause him great sorrow or great joy, it might prove fatal to him. He must not be told anything suddenly. That is why I ought to know beforehand anything that concerns him, so as to prepare him. I could not do that if you read your translation straight off to him."