"Has Felix any greater right than you?" she asked.
"By birth, no; by capacity, yes. Let him be Duke. I will be the first to shout for him."
"Coward!" she said.
"Christine, there are bounds which even you must not pass," he said, turning a stern face to her.
She clapped her hands at his sudden anger, and stepped quickly to his side.
"There spoke a worthy Duke. I have seen the same anger rush blood-red into your father's face, and have trembled for his enemies. You cannot hide your real self; you cannot deny your real personality, even though you would."
"It lies in peace among these books of mine," he answered. "We have talked of this enough."
"Not yet. Listen, Maurice. Felix is hated by many, and if he seizes the crown, there will be bloodshed in the streets of Vayenne."
"He will be strong enough to suppress rebellion," was the answer.