As a natural consequence it
was cordially hated, and richly deserved the maledictions which
generally accompanied the mention of the Friponne--the swindle--a
rough and ready epithet which sufficiently indicated the feeling of
the people whom it at once cheated and oppressed.
"They say, Jean," continued Babet, her mind running in a very
practical and womanly way upon the price of commodities and good
bargains, "they say, Jean, that the Bourgeois Philibert will not
give in like the other merchants. He sets the Intendant at
defiance, and continues to buy and sell in his own comptoir as he
has always done, in spite of the Friponne."
"Yes, Babet! that is what they say. But I would rather he stood in
his own shoes than I in them if he is to fight this Intendant--who
is a Tartar, they say."
"Pshaw, Jean! you have less courage than a woman. All the women are
on the side of the good Bourgeois: he is an honest merchant--sells
cheap, and cheats nobody!" Babet looked down very complacently upon
her new gown, which had been purchased at a great bargain at the
magazine of the Bourgeois.
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