The Baron smiled, and his eyes moved around the room in search of a chair.
“You are not very polite, mon ami. But even if we are to be enemies you will not deny me the ease of a seat. I am no longer a young man, and—ah—thank you, Gaunt. I know you will not mind if I smoke a cigarette. I can talk so much better, and this morning I wish to be very eloquent.”
“I have never known you, Baron, when you could not talk, and that time will only arrive when you are in your grave,” Gaunt said drily.
“A truce to compliments. We know one another—our faults and our virtues, and so we will come to business. Of what extraordinary extravagances you have been guilty. These advertisements must have cost you a small fortune, and for what purpose, mon cher? You throw your money away and the return you will receive is what—ruin. I have not come here to threaten, but merely to state my intentions. If you persist in this mad course it will be my painful duty to act at once. Every dishonorable deed in your life shall be made public and there is a ghastly array to your discredit. Not only will there be those things in the Congo of which I have already reminded you, but there are many little affairs of England—many little deals by which you have enriched yourself that will not bear the light of day. It will pain me to make these exposures, but you yourself will be the first to see that they are necessary. It is my painful duty to discredit you to the world, and I shall succeed,” the Baron wound up with quiet confidence.
“You appear to forget one thing, Baron. If I cease to speak, there are others who can take my place. You may ruin my character, but that will not smother the cry for reform. You say that we know one another, but I think you are wilfully blind to my character. I have vowed to fight you until the natives are free, and receive equitable treatment, and nothing shall turn me back, now I have once started. You can do your worst,” Gaunt cried contemptuously.
“And that is your final word?” the Baron said with a sigh.
“Yes. It will be well if you do not call here again for——”
“There is no need to finish the sentence. Let us, at least, retain the appearance of politeness. You English are so brutal in your enmities. Although I am about to injure you seriously, I like you personally, Gaunt, and apart from this sordid business, I shall always be glad to meet you. So you have decided. I am very sorry, my friend, for I am afraid that Lady Mildred will——”
“Be silent, and go,” Gaunt cried harshly.
“I hate to war upon a lady, for she will suffer with you, and——”