“You’re never going too, your Grace!” cried Guerchard.
“Why, you don’t want me to stay, do you?” said the Duke.
“Yes,” said Guerchard slowly.
“I think I would rather go to bed,” said the Duke gaily.
“Are you afraid?” said Guerchard, and there was challenge, almost an insolent challenge, in his tone.
There was a pause. The Duke frowned slightly with a reflective air. Then he drew himself up; and said a little haughtily:
“You’ve certainly found the way to make me stay, M. Guerchard.”
“Yes, yes; stay, stay,” said M. Gournay-Martin hastily. “It’s an excellent idea, excellent. You’re the very man to help M. Guerchard, Duke. You’re an intrepid explorer, used to danger and resourceful, absolutely fearless.”
“Do you really mean to say you’re not going home to bed, Jacques?” said Germaine, disregarding her father’s wish with her usual frankness.
“No; I’m going to stay with M. Guerchard,” said the Duke slowly.