“Don’t be an ass, Turnieff!” he said. “I am in the humor just now to box somebody’s ears, and yours would serve as well as another’s. What is the matter with you, anyhow? Why did you attack me?”
“Release me if you are not a coward!” stormed Turnieff.
“I’m not a coward; neither will I release you. Big as you are, Turnieff, you are only a child in my grasp. You must realize that now. Why did you attack me?”
“You insulted the countess, you——”
“There, there, now! Colonel Turnieff, I have never insulted a woman in my life, much less one who was my hostess. Did she say that I insulted her? Did she tell you that?”
“No; but her actions——”
“Ah! Her actions. I see. You have no other reason for attacking me than what you saw in the conservatory?”
“No; but that was sufficient, heaven knows.”
“My dear fellow, you have been misled. The countess was offended, I’ll admit; but it was because I would not do things which no man of honor could do; not because I affronted her in any manner, for I did not. Do you believe me?”
“No.”