"Nor speak to her?"
"No. But if you think it will pass so next time--you do not know much of women!"
"Of women generally, not much," he answered, grimly polite. "Of this woman a great deal!"
"You looked in her big eyes, I suppose!" Madame St. Lo cried with heat. "And straightway fell down and worshipped her!" She liked rather than disliked the Countess; but she was of the lightest, and the least opposition drove her out of her course. "And you think you know her! And she, if she could save you from death by opening an eye, would go with a patch on it till her dying day! Take my word for it, monsieur, between her and her lover you will come to harm."
Count Hannibal's swarthy face darkened a tone, and his eyes grew a very little smaller. "I fancy that he runs the greater risk," he muttered.
"You may deal with him, but, for her----"
"I can deal with her. You deal with some women with a whip"
"You would whip me, I suppose?"
"Yes," he said quietly. "It would do you good, Madame. And with other women otherwise. There are women who, if they are well frightened, will not deceive you. And there are others who will not deceive you though they are frightened. Madame de Tavannes is of the latter kind."
"Wait! Wait and see!" Madame cried in scorn.