The lieutenant sat up straight in his chair.
“Do you mean that I cheated you?” he said, with slow emphasis. “Beware what you say.”
“Oui!” cried the Frenchman; “sacr-r-re—so I mean!”
Before the words had well left his lips, and before any one could interfere De Lacy shot out his arm, lifted the Frenchman clear off his feet, and hurled him to the floor.
“Stop! you coward!” Ranald stood before the lieutenant with eyes blazing and breath coming quick.
“Coward?” said De Lacy, slowly.
“You hit a man unprepared.”
“You are prepared, I suppose,” replied De Lacy, deliberately.
“Yes! Yes!” cried Ranald, eagerly, the glad light of battle coming into his eyes.
“Good,” said De Lacy, slowly putting back his chair, and proceeding to remove his coat.