Geneviève, who had turned round at the noise, on perceiving Maurice stood speechless.
"Sir," said the young Republican, coldly, to him who had a double hold on his life, "you are the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."
"And what if I am?" replied the Chevalier.
"It is this: you are a brave man, and consequently a cool one, and I would say two words to you."
"Say on," said the Chevalier, without lowering his pistols.
"You can kill me; but you cannot do so before I have uttered a cry, or rather I will not die without giving an alarm. Should I do so, the thousand men who surround this house will have reduced it to ashes ere the lapse of ten minutes; so lower your pistols and listen to what I have to say to the lady."
"To Geneviève?" said the Chevalier.
"To me?" murmured the young woman.
"Yes, to you."
Geneviève, pale as a statue, seized Maurice's arm; but he repulsed her coldly.