Ensign Dave opened his lips, then paused. He was now asked to speak on his own honor.
His pallor giving way to a deep flush, Surigny suddenly opened his lips to speak again.
"Monsieur Darrin," he urged, his voice quavering, "do me the honor to look in my eyes. Study me from the viewpoint of an honest man. Tell me whether you will believe what I have to say to you. Do not be too quick. Take time to think."
As Dave found himself gazing into the depths of the other's eyes, and as he studied that appealing look, he felt his contempt for Surigny rapidly slipping away.
"Now, speak!" begged M. le Comte de Surigny. "Will you believe what I am about to tell you, as one man of honor speaks to another?"
For an instant Ensign Dave hesitated. Then he answered quickly:
"Yes; I will believe you, Monsieur le Comte."
"In doing so, do you feel the slightest hesitation?"
"Naturally," rejoined Darrin, a slight smile parting his lips, "I am assailed by some doubts as to whether I am wise in doing so, but I will believe what you have to say to me. I prefer to believe you to be, of your own choice, a man of honor."
Surigny uttered a cry of delight. Then he went on: