‘You do not appear to approve of my decision, M. d’Agen?’ I said. ‘It is yours to command, sir,’ he answered proudly. There are truisms which have more power to annoy than the veriest reproaches. I should have borne in mind the suspense and anxiety he was suffering, and which had so changed him that I scarcely knew him for the gay young spark on whose toe I had trodden. I should have remembered that he was young and I old, and that it behoved me to be patient. But on my side also there was anxiety, and responsibility as well; and, above all, a rankling soreness, to which I refrain from giving the name of jealousy, though it came as near to that feeling as the difference in our ages and personal advantages (whereof the balance was all on his side) would permit. This, no doubt, it was which impelled me to continue the argument. ‘You would go on?’ I said persistently. ‘It is idle to say what I would do,’ he answered with a flash of anger. ‘I asked for your opinion, sir,’ I rejoined stiffly. ‘To what purpose?’ he retorted, stroking his small moustache haughtily, ‘We look at the thing from opposite points. You, are going about your business, which appears to be the rescuing of ladies who are--may I venture to say it? so unfortunate as to entrust themselves to your charge. I, M. de Marsac, am more deeply interested. More deeply interested,’ he repeated lamely. ‘I--in a word, I am prepared, sir, to do what others only talk of--and if I cannot follow otherwise, would follow on my feet!’ ‘Whom?’ I asked curtly, stung by this repetition of my own words. He laughed harshly and bitterly. ‘Why explain? or why quarrel?’ he replied cynically. ‘God knows, if I could afford to quarrel with you, I should have done so fifty hours ago. But I need your help; and, needing it, I am prepared to do that which must seem to a person of your calm passions and perfect judgment alike futile and incredible--pay the full price for it.’ ‘The full price for it!’ I muttered, understanding nothing, except that I did not understand. ‘Ay, the full price for it!’ he repeated. And as he spoke he looked at me with an expression of rage so fierce that I recoiled a step. That seemed to restore him in some degree to himself, for without giving me an opportunity of answering he turned hastily from me, and, striding away, was in a moment lost in the darkness.