And I rose.
'Was it by your orders that this was done?' he retorted, his
brow black with passion. Answer, will you?'
'It was!' I replied outright.
'Then take that!' he cried, dashing his hat violently in my
face, 'and come outside.'
'With pleasure, Monsieur,' I answered, bowing; 'in one moment.
Permit me to find my sword. I think that it is in the passage.'
I went thither to get it.
When I returned, I found that the two men were waiting for me in
the garden, while the ladies had risen from the table, and were
standing near it with blanched faces.
'You had better take your sister upstairs, Mademoiselle,' I said
gently, pausing a moment beside them. 'Have no fear. All will
be well.'
But what is it?' she answered, looking troubled. 'It was so
sudden. I am--I did not understand. You quarrelled so quickly.'
'It is very simple,' I answered, smiling. 'M. le Capitaine
insulted you yesterday; he will pay for it to-day. That is all.
Or, not quite all,' I continued, dropping my voice and speaking
in a different tone. 'His removal may help you, Mademoiselle.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187