Yet, out of his abhorrence of its author, a thing came to his lips which carried, in its unconscious boyishness and simplicity, a sort of balm of its own. For when, standing there embarrassed and hesitating, he suddenly blurted out, "That scoundrel has got a bullet or something in his leg, thank God!" L'Oiseleur removed his screening arm and looked at him. And, to Laurent's surprise, the mouth which seemed to have forgotten how to smile relaxed after a moment into a semblance of amusement.
"Monsieur de Courtomer," he said slowly, "I think you must have the gift of . . . of partisanship in excelsis!"
And, whether he or the young man standing above him made the first movement, their fingers certainly met.
CHAPTER IV - THE CAPTIVE HAWK
"Altho' his back be at the wa',
Another was the fautor;
Altho' his back be at the wa',
Yet here's his health in water
He gat the skaith, he gat the scorn,
I lo'e him but the better;