“I am entirely at your disposition,” I replied; but I quaked, for I knew what subject to expect.
“You have been some time giving me these lessons,” he went on, “and I am tempted to think rather well of you. I believe you are a gentleman.”
“I have that honour, sir,” said I.
“You have seen me for the same period. I do not know how I strike you; but perhaps you will be prepared to believe that I also am a man of honour,” said he.
“I require no assurances; the thing is manifest,” and I bowed.
“Very well, then,” said he. “What about this Goguelat?”
“You heard me yesterday before the court,” I began. “I was awakened only——”
“O yes; I ‘heard you yesterday before the court,’ no doubt,” he interrupted, “and I remember perfectly that you were ‘awakened only.’ I could repeat the most of it by rote, indeed. But do you suppose that I believed you for a moment?”
“Neither would you believe me if I were to repeat it here,” said I.