My eyes met the secretary's fixed excitedly upon me and the words died on my tongue. Even in my rage I had the grace to know that this was no story to tell Monsieur before another.
"I will tell Monsieur alone."
"You may speak before M. Lucas," he rejoined impatiently.
"No," I persisted. "I must tell Monsieur alone."
He saw in my face that I had strong reasons for asking it, and said to the secretary:
"You may go, Lucas."
Lucas protested.
"M. le Duc will be wiser not to see him alone. He is not to be trusted. Perchance, Monsieur, this demand covers an attack on your life."
The warning nettled my lord. He answered curtly:
"You may go."