"Are you in danger?" Gabrielle asked, fearfully.
Lagardere shook his head and repeated his command: "No. Go in at once.
Wait in your room until I come for you."
Æsop looked at him with raised eyebrows and a wicked grin. "Why banish
the lady? She might find my tale entertaining."
At an imperative signal from Lagardere, Gabrielle entered the Inn.
Lagardere then advanced towards Æsop, who watched him with folded arms
and his familiar malevolent smile. When they were quite close, Æsop
greeted Lagardere:
"So the rat has come to the trap at last. Lagardere in Paris--ha, ha!"