"Captain Brand swears a good deal at the idea of going down to that 'infernal dull hole,' his grandmother's handsome castle, which he assures Mr. Mortlake is inhabited by old women and servants.
"'A note will do for to-night, by Jove!' vows Captain Brand, 'and I'll send it over.'
"Monsieur Mortlake protests that he has heard so much of the antiquity of Castle Brand that he would think it a boon if the captain would permit him to carry that note, if it is only for the chance of seeing such a castle.
"'By all means you shall, if that will please you,' says the captain.
"Mademoiselle, as these men stand together in the lobby, I looking down from the staircase upon them—for has not monsieur ordered me not to disgrace him by intruding upon the captain?—a very strange idea occurs to me; it strikes me very forcibly. I watch the men with amazement, with fear. As we ride away together in the moonlight, I say to my friend:
"'Monsieur le Capitaine is a most handsome man.'
"He only curses Monsieur le Capitaine.
"I say again:
"'Mon ami, do not execrate your own image.'
"He turns in his saddle with a savage oath—he glares like the hungry wolf.