‘I am so far her friend that I will not see her victimised by a scoundrel.’
‘Referring to me, monsieur?’ asked Gavrolles, with venomous politeness.
Gavrolles, now completely master of himself, leant over the table and looked straight into Sutherland’s eyes.
‘You are very impetuous, monsieur, and not too choice in your use of—what you call—Beelingsgate; but I should wish very much to give you a little piece of advice. Before you proceed any further in this affair I should recommend you to consult the lady herself.’
‘Why?’
‘It would be better—for the lady.’
There was no mistaking the threatening significance of the Frenchman’s tone; but, as he spoke, he took a cigarette from a box upon the table, lit it, and looked keenly through the smoke at Sutherland.
Seeing that he did not immediately reply, but seemed dubious and perplexed, Gavrolles airily continued—
‘I am content, you see, to take the lady’s opinion on the subject. If she sends you here as her accredited agent and defender, I will speak to you, as one gentleman to another. Even then, look you, I should be condescending, amiable. It is not every man who would permit a complete stranger to dictate to him on a matter concerning only himself and madame his wife.’
‘What do you mean?’ cried Sutherland, now thoroughly startled. ‘You cannot mean that——’