'Under no protection save that of my sword, Messire!' broke in Gilles carelessly. 'And that will be entirely at your service as soon as I have taken leave of our fair hostess.'
'Nay! that you shall not do!' riposted de Landas. 'Your impudent assertion of awhile ago has put you outside the pale. You shall not take your leave! 'Tis we who'll throw you out; unless you relieve us of your company now—at once!'
'Well said, de Landas!' came in an approving chorus from the irate group of de Landas' friends.
'We'll throw him out!' cried some of them. 'Leave him to us.'
'A spy!' came from others.
'Now, Messire—whoever you may be,' concluded de Landas with ironic emphasis, 'will you go willingly or shall my friends and I——'
'For shame, Messire!' broke in Jacqueline loudly and firmly. 'You are six against one——'
'So much the better!' riposted de Landas with a harsh laugh. 'At him, friends!'
'Madame,' said Gilles, turning to Jacqueline with perfect calm, 'your promise will remain for ever unredeemed if these gentlemen succeed in throwing me out of the room; for this, I vow, they cannot do while I am alive.'
'Jacqueline,' interposed de Landas impulsively, 'I forbid you to unmask before this man.'