“Sir,” he urged desperately, “consider what you are about before you ruin me.”
Receiving no answer to this but a cold look of scorn, he broke out again—
“You always hated me—from the first you meant to undo me.”
“M. de Montbas,” replied William, “I opposed your appointment—I opposed the giving to you of that post upon the Rhine, had you been wise you would have taken neither the one nor the other——”
“You mean to drive me to despair,” interjected the Vicomte.
“I mean to maintain discipline in my army,” said the Prince, and put his hand on the tent flap.
M. de Montbas’ body heaved, and his gay appointments, gold cords and jewels, glimmered in the dusky light.
“Before God I am innocent!” he declared passionately. “I am of the Reformed Faith—what have I to do with France?”
The Prince regarded him keenly.