At this moment, as Gaston turned, he heard a well-known voice say—
"You hesitate?"
Gaston opened his domino and showed the duke the knife which it concealed.
"I see the knife glisten, but I also see the hand tremble."
"Yes, monseigneur, it is true," said Gaston; "I hesitated, I trembled, I felt inclined to fly—but thank God you are here."
"And your ferocious courage?" said the duke in a mocking voice.
"It is not that I have lost it."
"What has become of it then?"
"Monseigneur, I am under his roof."
"Yes; but in the conservatory you are not."