"Every effort shall be made," I said, "not to bring you forward as a witness." And, indeed, as I spoke these words, I was penetrated by a conviction that such evidence as she could give would be of little value; but I kept this to myself. It is not wise to show your weak cards.
"You promise it," she said, "on your honor as a gentleman?"
"On my honor as a gentleman, madame," I replied, with my hand on my heart, and repressing a smile, "I promise it."
To my surprise she sprang to her feet; the devil within her obtained the mastery, and I never heard the human voice express hatred so vindictively and forcibly. The stories I had heard of the female fiend in the French Commune came vividly to my mind; a representative stood before me in the person of Madame Lourbet, as she hissed:
"No, I will not help him! I would go in my holiday clothes to see him hanged!"
"You shall not have that pleasure, madame," I said. "I wish you good evening."
Her fears returned. There is no weapon so effective as calmness in dealing with hysterical natures. If you shriek, they shriek the louder; if you stand firm, they quail.
"What to do?" she asked, showing in her face the conflicting emotions by which she was torn.
"To obtain a warrant for your arrest," I answered boldly. "My spies will take care that you do not escape."
I was half out of the room when she cried, "Stop! I will do it—I will do it!"