Le Gardeur neither knew nor cared at
that moment who his antagonist was; he saw but a bold, presumptuous
man who had seized his bridle, and whom it was his desire to punish
on the spot.
De Pean recognized the stately figure and fearless look of the
Bourgeois confronting Le Gardeur. The triumph of the Friponne was
at hand. De Pean rubbed his hands with ecstasy as he called out to
Le Gardeur, his voice ringing above the din of the crowd, "Achevez-
le! Finish him, Le Gardeur!"
Angelique sat upon her horse fixed as a statue and as pale as
marble, not at the danger of the Bourgeois, whom she at once
recognized, but out of fear for her lover, exposed to the menaces
of the crowd, who were all on the side of the Bourgeois.
Le Gardeur leaped down from his horse and advanced with a terrible
imprecation upon the Bourgeois, and struck him with his whip. The
brave old merchant had the soul of a marshal of France. His blood
boiled at the insult; he raised his staff to ward off a second blow
and struck Le Gardeur sharply upon the wrist, making his whip fly
out of his hand.
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