"The duke released me," I began, with some emotion of alarm—"released me on parole, and complimented me——"
"Because you saved the life of his daughter from an outlaw—or pretend that you did so."
"But you, her husband, M. le Comte——"
"Mean to put you to death as a spy, who remained as such in Bretagne for several weeks, and who now as a prisoner seeks to escape, after lurking behind the French lines, of which the river Lahn is the present boundary."
"Say, rather," said I, with unwise bitterness, "that with a jealous cowardice which has no parallel, you resolve to destroy me as one who loved the countess before she had the misfortune to become your wife."
Enraged that this remark was made before the listening soldiers who crowded all the room, Bourgneuf said, with an oath and a scornful laugh—
"Ha!—think you so?"
"I both think and say so."
"What an intolerable world it would be if every man said all he thought, as you do; but I will meet you with the sword if you choose."
"I will not fight with a would-be assassin."