Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken--that for you, Mr
Vanslyperken--I can hang you when I please, Mr Vanslyperken. Corporal,
how many guineas did you see counted out to him at the house opposite?"

During all this the corporal remained fixed and immovable with his hand
up to the salute; but on being questioned by his mistress, he replied,
remaining in the same respectful attitude--

"Fifty golden guineas, Mrs Vandersloosh."

"A lie! an infamous lie!" cried Vanslyperken, drawing his sword.
"Traitor that you are," continued he to the corporal, "take your
reward." This was a very critical moment. The corporal did not attempt
the defensive, but remained in the same attitude, and Vanslyperken's
rage at the falsehood of the widow and the discovery of his treason was
so great, that he lost all command of himself. Had not a third party
come in just as Vanslyperken drew his sword, it might have gone hard
with the corporal; but, fortunately, Babette came in from the yard, and
perceiving the sword fly out of the scabbard, she put her hand behind
the door, and snatched two long-handled brooms, one of which she put
into the hands of her mistress, and retained the other herself.

"Take your reward!" cried Vanslyperken, running furiously to cut down
the corporal. But his career was stopped by the two brooms, one of
which took him in the face, and the other in the chest. The widow and
Babette now ranged side by side, holding their brooms as soldiers do
their arms in a charge of bayonets.

How did the corporal act? He retained his former respectful position,
leaving the defensive or offensive in the hands of the widow and
Babette.

This cheek on the part of Vanslyperken only added to his rage. Again he
flew with his sword at the corporal, and again he was met with the
besoms in his face. He caught one with his hand, and he was knocked
back with the other. He attempted to cut them in two with his sword,
but in vain.

"Out of my house, you villain!--you traitor--out of my house," cried the
widow, pushing at him with such force as to drive him against the wall,
and pinning him there while Babette charged him in his face, which was
now streaming with blood. The attack was now followed up with such
vigour, that Vanslyperken was first obliged to retreat to the door, then
out of the door into the street; followed into the street, he took to
his heels, and the widow and Babette returned victorious into the
parlour to the corporal. M