"Monsieur le Baron jumps to conclusions," said Louise. "Moreover, seeing that the message was to be delivered to the lady in case of your death, and seeing that you were believed to be dead, should I be to blame even though it were so as you have said?" "Ha! you assured yourself very quickly of my decease; and she, too, by all the Saints she has wasted no time!" "Monsieur le Baron is so angry that he will not listen to reason. It is easy for him to see this lady." "Not I!" cried Henri; "I will see her no more." "But what if you suspect her unjustly?" "Then why was I deceived and told that she was dead? She was 'dead to me,' that is the explanation. She is not dead to others--to you, for instance, her new lover--oh Lord, Michel, a pretty messenger thou hast been!" "A worse than the Baron supposes," Michel laughed nervously, "for his message was never delivered." "What! though you believed me dead? Then indeed, my friend, you have been little better than a traitor." "It seems you are determined to quarrel with me, say what I will; if I delivered the message it was in order to found a courtship of my own upon it; if I did not I am a traitor. Nevertheless I will not quarrel, my friend. It was not I that deceived you, remember, but I that undeceived you. Was it not Monsieur Dupré who declared that his daughter was dead? Then why am I to be quarrelled with?" "Because, my friend, I believe you to have been a party to the deception, for a certain end of your own which I have indicated." "Then your wrath is expended upon wind, for I swear to you that though, I confess, this lady is more to me than any woman in the world----" "Aha! listen to him!" Henri raved. "And though I am well aware that she is not wholly indifferent to my virtues----" "By Heaven, Michel, you are a bold man!" cried Henri, fingering his sword hilt; "finish your sentence; I will judge whether our rapiers shall settle this matter." "Yet I would not marry the girl for all the wealth of India, nor she me. Moreover, I promise that Louise shall confirm my words. Henri, my friend, it is as her messenger I come this day. 'Bid him come to me'--that is her message." "If it be so, Michel," began the Baron, his face instantly relaxing, "you shall bid me do penance for my suspicions; but if----" "Nay, I weary of arguing, my friend; come to her quickly." CHAPTER XXX. Henri d'Estreville lost no time in complying with the request conveyed in the message which Michel Prevost had brought him. He hastened to present himself at old Dupré's establishment, where he knocked--in his eagerness--with unnecessary vigour, rousing old Dupré from a nap as he lay in bed, still a victim to the stiffness of his joints, brought about by his practice with the foils in preparation for an imaginary duel. Marie opened the door. "_Mon Dieu!_ it is Monsieur le Baron!" she exclaimed, flushing.