"When you have done laughing, idiot!" he cried.
But the helmet swayed so oddly on his shoulders, his voice came from out
it in such strange tones, that the more he gesticulated, the more he
yelled and threatened me, the louder I laughed.
At that moment the clock of the Hôtel-de-Ville, striking five, was
heard.
"The Municipal Council!" murmured my uncle, in a stifled voice. "Quick!
help me off with this beast of a machine! We'll settle our business
afterwards!"
But, suddenly likewise, an idea--a wild, extraordinary idea--came into
my head; but then, whoever is madder than a lover? Besides, I had no
choice of means.
"No!" I replied.
My uncle fell back two paces in terror--and again the enormous helmet
wobbled on his shoulders.
"No," I repeated, firmly, "I'll not help you out, unless you give me the
hand of my cousin Rose!"
From the depths of the strangely elongated visor came, not an angry
exclamation, but a veritable roar. I had "done it!"--I had burned
my ships!
"If you do not consent to do what I ask of you," I added, "not only will
I not help you off with your helmet, but I will call in all your
neighbours, and then go and find the Municipal Council!"
"You'll end your days on the scaffold!" cried my uncle.
"The hand of Rose!" I repeated. "You told me that it would only be by
force that you would be made to say 'yes'--say it, or I will call in the
neighbours!"
The clock was still striking; my uncle raised his arms as if to curse
me.
"Decide at once," I cried, "somebody is coming!"
"Well, then--yes!" murmured my uncle. "But make haste!"
"On your word of honour?"
"On my word of honour!"
The visor gave way, the gorget-piece also, and my uncle's head issued
from durance, red as a poppy.
Just in time. The chemist at the corner, a colleague in the Municipal
Council, entered the shop.
"Are you coming?" he asked; "they will be beginning the business without
us."
"I'm coming," replied my uncle.
And without looking at me, he took up his hat and cane and hurried out.
The next moment all my hopes had vanished. My uncle would surely not
forgive me.
At dinner-time I took my place at table on his right hand in low
spirits, ate little, and said nothing.
"It will come with the dessert," I thought.
Rose looked at me, and I avoided meeting her eyes. As I had expected,
the dessert over, my uncle lit his pipe, raised his head, and then--
"Rose--come here!"
Rose went to him.
"Do you know what that fellow there asked me to do, yesterday?"