The blood leaped darkly into Alain’s face. He turned to Romaine and me, and his eyes flashed.
“It is your turn now,” he said. “At least it shall be prison for prison with the two viscounts.”
“Not so, Mr. Alain, by your leave,” said Romaine. “There are a few formalities to be considered first.”
But Alain was already striding towards the door.
“Stop a moment, stop a moment!” cried Romaine. “Remember your own counsel not to despise an adversary.”
Alain turned.
“If I do not despise I hate you!” he cried, giving a loose to his passion. “Be warned of that, both of you.”
“I understand you to threaten Monsieur le Vicomte Anne,” said the lawyer. “Do you know, I would not do that. I am afraid, I am very much afraid, if you were to do as you propose, you might drive me into extremes.”
“You have made me a beggar and a bankrupt,” said Alain. “What extreme is left?”
“I scarce like to put a name upon it in this company,” replied Romaine. “But there are worse things than even bankruptcy, and worse places than a debtors’ gaol.”