I shook him off, therefore, hoping by a
frown to silence him.
He was not to be so easily put down, however, and perforce I had
to speak to him.
'Afterwards, afterwards,' I said hurriedly. 'I am engaged now.
'For God's sake, don't, sir!' the poor fool cried, clinging to
my sleeve. 'Don't do it! You will bring a curse on the house.
He is but a lad, and--'
'You, too!' I exclaimed,losing patience. 'Be silent, you scum!
What do you know about gentlemen's quarrels? Leave me; do you
hear?'
'But the Cardinal!' he cried in a quavering voice. 'The
Cardinal, M. de Berault! The last man you killed is not
forgotten yet. This time he will be sure to--'
'Leave me, do you hear?' I hissed. The fellow's impudence
passed all bounds. It was as bad as his croaking. 'Begone!' I
added. 'I suppose you are afraid that he will kill me, and you
will lose your money.'
Frison fell back at that almost as if I had struck him, and I
turned to my adversary, who had been awaiting my motions with
impatience. God knows he did look young as he stood with his
head bare and his fair hair drooping over his smooth woman's
forehead--a mere lad fresh from the college of Burgundy, if they
have such a thing in England.
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