She was silent for a moment, noting the look of admiration on my face.
Then, quickly, and in little more than a whisper, she said:
"I have answered your questions, though not admitting your right to ask them. Would you know how to gain that right?"
"Tell me!" I said, my heart beating rapidly with elation.
"Challenge M. de Noyard, and kill him!"
I stared in astonishment.
"Now you may know whether or not I love him," she added.
"But, mademoiselle,—why—"
"Ah, that is the one thing about which I must always refuse to be questioned! I ask you this service. Will you grant it?"
"If he has given you offence," I said, "certainly I will seek him at once."
"Not a word of me is to be said between you! He must not know that I have spoken to you."