‘Tut-tut,—the ladies!’ I said. ‘You forget yourself, Monsieur.’
‘Forget myself?’ he hissed, and this time he did not check his oath. ‘Don’t talk to me of the ladies! Madame? Bah! Do you think, fool, that we are put into rebel’s houses to bow and smile and take dancing lessons?’
‘In this case a lesson in politeness were more to the point, Monsieur,’ I said sternly. And I rose.
‘Was it by your orders that this was done?’ he retorted, his brow black with passion. Answer, will you?’
‘It was!’ I replied outright.
‘Then take that!’ he cried, dashing his hat violently in my face, ‘and come outside.’
‘With pleasure, Monsieur,’ I answered, bowing; ‘in one moment. Permit me to find my sword. I think that it is in the passage.’
I went thither to get it.
When I returned, I found that the two men were waiting for me in the garden, while the ladies had risen from the table, and were standing near it with blanched faces.
‘You had better take your sister upstairs, Mademoiselle,’ I said gently, pausing a moment beside them. ‘Have no fear. All will be well.’