Never have I seen avarice blaze so in a face as in hers. As I dropped out the last words, she shook her head from side to side with a swaying motion of a serpent. Her eyes glittered like those of an asp, and between her half-parted lips she hissed rather than spoke to herself:
'Fif-teen hun-dred crowns! It is the price of a barony! I, who have taken life for a half-pistole!'
'You will save two lives for this,' I pleaded.
But the she-devil, though sorely tempted, was faithful. What de Gomeron's power over her was I know not. I could add nothing to my offer; I had laid my all on the hazard, and it was not to be done.
'Pouf!' she mocked, 'you do not go high enough. You do not promise the palace in the moon. But I waste my time. Is it "Yes," or "No," for the Captain?'
There was another chance, and I would risk that. I made a step nearer the opening.
'Give me something to drink, and I will answer at once.'
'Ah! ha! Monsieur requires some courage. Here is a flask of Frontignac, but it is expensive, and Monsieur, I am afraid, has left his belt outside his room. The Frontignac is five crowns.'
'You forgot my pockets,' I answered. 'Here are two pistoles; hand me the wine.'
'The money first,' and she stretched out her hand.