Choose,
Monsieur. Which is it to be?"
The devil gleamed in his eyes. He remained silent.
"Well! Well!" impatiently.
"I accept the alternative," with bad grace. "If I made a dash--"
"You would be shot; those were my orders."
"And if I went to prison--"
"You would miss what you call the comic opera, but which to me
is all there is in life. You say that I have read your friend
well. That is true. Do you think that it is easy for me to
lessen myself in my own eyes? No woman lives who is prouder than
I. Remember, you are not to hint at what I propose to do, nor
who I am. See! It is all because you read something which was
not intended for your eyes. Be my friend, or be my enemy, it is
a matter of indifference to me. You have only yourself to blame.
Had you gone about your business and not intruded where you were
not wanted, neither you nor your friend would be here. No
interference from you, Monsieur; that is the understanding." She
raised her hand and made a sign, and the troopers took
themselves off. "Now you may go--to the countess, if you wish;
though I dare say that she will not find you in the best of
tempers.
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