“She did not?” exclaimed Chanet, in a tone of surprise.
“No.”
“Not since you have been here—that I admit, for since you made your appearance she became so completely changed that I hardly knew her as the same person. You have poisoned her mind against me.”
“I have done no such thing. Look here, my young friend, I charge you to be a little more careful in your observations, or if you are not it is just possible we may quarrel.”
“Quarrel!” cried the mountaineer, with a horrible laugh.
“Yes, that was my word. Have you invited me here for the purpose of picking a quarrel with me? It looks like it, and if that be the case I shall take my departure forthwith.”
“You must not go yet.”
“Must not!—and why, pray?”
“Because I have much more to say.”
“You had better be quiet about it then, for I am getting tired of the subject, which, to say the truth, is becoming wearisome.”