Peyrolles saw it was useless to argue with the hunchback, and submitted.
"Yes, yes; but let bygones be bygones. About this girl?"
Æsop resumed his narrative. "I sent her and her tribe Franceward from
Madrid. I didn't accompany them, for I'm not fond of companionship; but I
told them to wait me here, and here they are. What place could be more
excellent? All sorts of vagabonds come hither from all parts of the world
at fair-time. How natural that your admirable master should amuse his
leisure by visiting the fair, and in so diverting himself be struck by a
beautiful gypsy girl's resemblance to the features of his dear dead
friend! It is all a romance, friend Peyrolles, and a very good romance.
And I, Æsop, made it."
The hunchback struck an attitude as he spoke, and strove to twist his
evil countenance into a look of inspiration.
Peyrolles was all eagerness now. "Let me see the girl," he pleaded.
Æsop shook his head. "By-and-by. It is understood that if Gonzague
accepts the girl as Nevers's child he takes me into his service in Paris.
Eh?"