'
And he might say it; for I stood silent still, cowering and
despairing, white with rage and hate. But Mademoiselle did not
look. She gazed straight at the Lieutenant.
'Have you done?' she said.
'Done?' he stammered; her words, her air, bringing him to earth
again. 'Done? Yes, if you believe me.'
'I do not,' she answered proudly. 'If that be all, be satisfied,
Monsieur. I do not believe you.'
'Then tell me this,' he retorted, after a moment of stunned
surprise. 'Answer me this! Why, if he was not on our side, do
you think that we let him remain here? Why did we suffer him to
stay in a suspected house, bullying us, annoying us, thwarting
us, taking your part from hour to hour?'
'He has a sword, Monsieur,' she answered with fine contempt,
'MILLE DIABLES!' he cried, snapping his fingers in a rage.
'That for his sword! It was because he held the Cardinal's
commission, I tell you, because he had equal authority with us.
Because we had no choice.'
'And that being so, Monsieur, why are you now betraying him?'
she asked. He swore at that, feeling the stroke go home.
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