I sat down, compelled by her tone.
"You will not do it," Madame continued, looking me coolly in the face, "because I am bound to admit, though I no longer like you, that you are a gentleman."
"And therefore should leave you."
"On the contrary, for that reason you will continue to travel with us."
"Outside," I said.
"No, inside," she answered quietly. "We have no passport nor papers; without your company we should be stopped in each town through which we pass. It is unfortunate," Madame continued, shrugging her shoulders; "--I did not know that the country was in so bad a state, or I would have taken precautions--it is unfortunate. But as it is we must put up with it and travel together."
I felt a warm rush of joy, of triumph, of coming vengeance. "Thank you, Madame," I said, and I bowed to her, "for telling me that. It seems, then, that you are in my power."
"Ah?"
"And that to requite you for the pain you have just caused Mademoiselle, I have only to leave you."
"Well?"