“‘That is your final answer?’ asked he, rising, fingering his lace, and viewing himself in a looking-glass upon the wall.
“‘I will not change it now or ever,’ answered I.
“‘Ever is a long time,’ retorted he, as one might speak to a wilful child. ‘You shall have time to think and space for reverie. For if you do not grant this trifle you shall no more see your dear Virginia; and when the time is ripe you shall go forth to a better land, as the Grande Marquise shall give you carriage.’
“‘The Articles of Capitulation!’ I broke out protestingly.
“He waved his fingers at me. ‘Ah, that,’ he rejoined—‘that is a matter for conning. You are a hostage. Well, we need not take any wastrel or nobody the English offer in exchange for you. Indeed, why should we be content with less than a royal duke? For you are worth more to us just now than any prince we have; at least so says the Grande Marquise. Is your mind quite firm to refuse?’ he added, nodding his head in a bored sort of way.
“‘Entirely,’ said I. ‘I will not part with those letters.’
“‘But think once again,’ he urged; ‘the gain of territory to Virginia, the peace between our countries!’
“‘Folly!’ returned I. ‘I know well you overstate the case. You turn a small intrigue into a game of nations. Yours is a schoolboy’s tale, Monsieur Doltaire.’
“‘You are something of an ass,’ he mused, and took a pinch of snuff.
“‘And you—you have no name,’ retorted I.