'Now, Mademoiselle,' I said quietly, 'I must trouble you to stop
here, and give me your attention for a few minutes. Afterwards
you may go your way.'
'Speak!' she said defiantly. 'And be quick! I cannot breathe
the air where you are! It poisons me!'
'Ah!' I said slowly. 'Do you think that you make things better
by such speeches as those?'
'Oh!' she cried and I heard her teeth click together. 'Would
you have me fawn on you?'
'Perhaps not,' I answered. 'Still you make one mistake.'
'What is it?' she panted.
'You forget that I am to be feared as well as--loathed,
Mademoiselle! Ay, Mademoiselle, to be feared!' I continued
grimly. 'Do you think that I do not know why you are here in
this guise? Do you think that I do not know for whom that
pitcher of broth was intended? Or who will now have to fast to-
night? I tell you I know all these things. Your house was full
of soldiers; your servants were watched and could not leave. You
had to come yourself and get food for him?'
She clutched at the handrail of the bridge, and for an instant
clung to it for support.
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