"No, by the devil!" was Marion's quick answer. "I do not believe Victorin capable of such indignities--least way when I see him there between his mother and child." After carefully placing his child back into the cradle and kissing its outstretched hands, the young general said affectionately to the Governor of Gascony: "Greeting to Tetrik! I always love to see among us my mother's wise and faithful friend." And turning towards me: "I knew that you had returned, Schanvoch. When I heard the news my heart filled with joy--with as much joy as I felt apprehension during your absence. These Frankish bandits have often shown us how little they respect truces and parliamentarians." But doubtlessly noticing the sadness that still marked the visage of Victoria, her son approached her and said with as much frankness as tender deference: "Listen, mother--before you broach the matter of Captain Marion's and Schanvoch's messages, let me tell you what I have upon my heart; it might unwrinkle your brow, and I might no longer read on it the displeasure that afflicts me. Tetrik is a kind relative, Captain Marion is our friend, Schanvoch your brother--I can here speak freely. Admit it, mother, you are annoyed that I spent the night out of the house, are you not?" "Your disorderly conduct grieves me, Victorin--and it grieves me still more to see that my voice is no longer heard by you." "Mother, I shall make a full confession to you; but I swear that I have upbraided myself more severely for my weakness than you could have done yourself. Last evening, faithful to my promise of discussing fully with you the grave matters that we have in hand, I went home betimes; I had declined--Oh! heroically declined an invitation to take supper with three of the captains of the legions that recently arrived at Mayence from Beziers. Vain were all their praises of the kegs of fine old wines, of that country of wine _par excellence_, that they brought with them carefully stowed away in their war chariots to celebrate their safe arrival. I remained unmoved. They then tried to win me over by speaking of two strolling Bohemian songstresses, Kidda and Flora--pardon me, mother, for pronouncing the names of such women before you, but truthfulness compels me to do so. These Bohemian girls, my tempters said to me, had recently arrived in Mayence; they described them as wondrously beautiful, frisky as demons, magnificent dancers, and singers like nightingales! Certes, there was enough to tempt me in such a description." "Ah! I see it--I see it clearly approaching, that pest of profligacy--I see it creeping towards him on its velvet feet, like a wily and hungry tigress!" Marion cried. "How I would like to make those brazen Bohemian she-devils dance on sheets of red-hot iron! It is only then they would sing tunes to suit my ears--"