Montargon looked confused.
"Pray excuse me!" he muttered.
"I will not excuse you!" exclaimed the Countess, "for it was impertinent, as well as in bad taste. Keep your advice for those that need it."
Montargon made a grimace.
"It is true," said he, "that you do not need advice from me, but suppose I have the King's order?"
"An order from the King?" cried Cosel.
"Yes."
"Even in that case I am not bound to obey," replied the Countess. "The King is overpowered by my enemies, he is doing that which he has no right to do, and he will regret it afterwards. I am sure he will be glad that I have not obeyed him."
Montargon was a polite man, but the Countess's tone offended him, so he replied in a soft tone that made his words all the more offensive,--
"I should be greatly obliged to you, Countess, if you would spare me the unpleasantness of employing that most simple of all arguments--force."