Heat and brandy further addled the brains of this group of French
citizens; hatred gleamed out of every eye. Outrage was imminent. The
young girl seemed to know it, but she remained defiant and
self-possessed, gradually stepping back and back up the steps, closely
followed by her assailants.

"To the Jew with the gewgaw, then!" shouted a thin, haggard female
viciously, as she suddenly clutched at the young girl's kerchief, and
with a mocking, triumphant laugh tore it from her bosom.

This outrage seemed to be the signal for the breaking down of the
final barriers which ordinary decency should have raised. The language
and vituperation became such as no chronicler could record.

The girl's dainty white neck, her clear skin, the refined contour of
shoulders and bust, seemed to have aroused the deadliest lust of hate
in these wretched creatures, rendered bestial by famine and squalor.

It seemed almost as if one would vie with the other in seeking for
words which would most offend these small aristocratic ears.

The young girl was now crouching against the doorway, her hands held
up to her ears to shut out the awful sounds. She did not seem
frightened, only appalled at the terrible volcano which she had
provoked.

Suddenly a miserable harridan struck her straight in the face, with
hard, grimy fist, and a long shout of exultation greeted this
monstrous deed.