VI
And all the while, Gilles sat so near to Jacqueline that his knees touched the hoops of her skirt. Instinctively she drew her own chair back with that same little demure air which was apparent in every one of her movements, even though her face was concealed by the mask.
'An' you move an inch further, fair one,' he said boldly, 'I vow that I shall be ready to commit a crime.'
'You are committing one now, Messire,' retorted Jacqueline. 'A crime against decorum, by sitting in my guardian's place.'
'Then I'll no longer sit—I'll kneel at your feet,' he riposted, and made a movement as if to push away his chair.
'Heaven forbid!' she exclaimed lightly. 'M. de Landas would kill you!'
'I am not so easily killed,' he rejoined. 'And M. de Landas is, for the moment, engaged with my man.'
'Who is getting sorely pressed, Messire!' cried Jacqueline with sudden, eager excitement. 'Will you not go to his aid?'
She had caught sight of Jehan, standing with his back to his master's chair, fists levelled, shoulders squared, defying not only M. de Landas but a crowd of other gentlemen, who had rushed forward to support their friend.
'Not before you have promised to unmask, fair one,' Gilles said calmly.