'I have but one thought to-night,' said I to Dundrennan, whom I had made the confidant of my love affair, and in whose honour I had perfect reliance.
'To-night! You should rather say this morning. See, the moon grows pale already—and this thought?'
'Is to have Pappenheim killed or taken; for in either case Marie Louise will be freed from his obtrusive attentions.'
'If both fail?'
'Then I shall get myself killed.'
'Zounds! nay,' replied the Viscount; 'were I in your predicament, I should as soon think of hanging myself (like a certain Grecian blockhead when rebuked by Pythagoras) as of throwing away my life in battle. Life is a precious commodity, and we never know what a day may bring forth.'
'True,' said I.
'And the hand of Mademoiselle de Lorraine, deprived as her father is of land, fortune, rank, and authority, is no longer an object of gain to Pappenheim, or to any but such a Quixote as you.'
'But he is not the man to relinquish, without a struggle, a bride so beautiful and so nobly born.'
'We shall see.'