She took the cup in one hand, Marietta in the other, and went, about
nine o’clock, to when Monsieur Hautmartin was wont to sit in judgment.
She there made a great outcry, and showed the broken cup and the
Paradise lost. Marietta wept bitterly.
The justice, when he saw the broken cup and his beautiful bride in
tears, flew into so violent a rage toward Colin that his nose was
as violet-colored as Marietta’s well-known hat-band, He immediately
despatched his bailiffs to bring the criminal before him.
Colin came, overwhelmed with grief. Mother Manon now repeated
her complaint with great eloquence before justice, bailiffs, and
scribes.--But Colin listened not. He stepped to Marietta and whispered
to hen “Forgive me, dear Marietta, as I forgive thee. I broke thy cup
unintentionally; but thou, thou hast broken my heart!”
“What whispering is that?” cried Justice Hautmartin, with magisterial
authority. “Harken to this accusation, and defend yourself.”
“I have naught to defend. I broke the cup against my will,” said Colin.
“That I verily believe,” said Marietta, sobbing. “I am as guilty as he;
for I offended him--then he threw the ribbon and flowers to me. He could
not help it.”
“Well!” cried Mother Manon. “Do you intend to defend him? Mr. Justice,
pronounce his sentence. He has broken the cup, and he does not deny it.”
“Since you cannot deny it, Mr. Colin,” said the Justice, “you must pay
three hundred livres for the cup, for it is worth that; and then for--”
“No,” interrupted Colin, “it is not worth that. I bought it at Vence for
Marietta for a hundred livres.”
“You bought it, sir brazen face?” shrieked the Justice, and his whole
face became like Marietta’s hat-hand. He could not and would not say
more, for he dreaded a disagreeable investigation of the matter.
But Colin was vexed at the imputation, and said: “I sent this cup on
the evening of the fair, by your own servant, to Marietta. There stands
Jacques in the door. Speak, Jacques, did I not give thee the box to
carry to Mother Manon?”
Monsieur Hautmartin wished to interrupt this conversation by speaking
loudly. But the simple Jacques said: “Only recollect, Justice, you took
away Colin’s box from me, and carried what was in it to Mother Manon.
The box lies there under the papers.”
Then the bailiffs were ordered to remove the simpleton; and Colin was
also directed to retire, until he should be sent for again.
“Very well, Mr. Justice,” interposed Colin, “but this business shall be
your last in Napoule. I know this, that you would ingratiate yourself
with Mother Manon and Marietta by means of my property. When you want
me, you will have to ride to Grasse to the Governor’s.” With that, Colin
departed.
Monsieur Hautmartin was quite puzzled with this affair, and in his
confusion knew not what he was about. Manon shook her head. The affair
was dark and mysterious to her. “Who will now pay me for the broken
cup?” she asked.
“To me,” said Marietta, with glowing, brightened countenance, “_to me_
it is already paid for.”