"Mademoiselle Rachel Nay does not need your attentions. You will not molest or annoy her in any way. Your gold, which, if report says true, you have spent your life in wringing from whom you can, cannot buy a woman's heart, and hers is pledged to me." Simon smiled still more craftily. He knew that his parsimony had made him notorious; he knew that the widow and the fatherless had little cause to love him. His heart had shrunk in the grip of his miserly instincts. But he was not afraid as he answered:-- "I shall take my own course, monsieur. Who are you to dictate to me? I care not for your clanking spurs, your fierce looks. I have influence with Mademoiselle Rachel's parents, who are very poor, and I shall use it to the uttermost. I pit my gold against your handsome face and swaggering manner. We will see who will win." "Listen!" said Nicolas, in a voice hoarse with anger. "I will descend to make terms with you, though, _mon Dieu!_ there is little reason why I should. Since money is as vital breath to you, I offer you five thousand francs if you will withdraw your suit." "I refuse." "Ten thousand, then?" Mansart laughed and snapped his dry fingers. "Come, I offer you fifteen thousand francs, and not a sou further will I go." Simon was visibly moved, and his hands rested nervously upon the heads of his great curs; but he controlled the rising temptation and answered, bitterly:-- "It is clear that you fear me or you would not make such overtures. I decline your offer." "Think well! I will never yield this girl." "That is unfortunate, for I certainly intend to win her." "Be careful!" said La Hire, in such a terrible voice that the mastiffs growled and bared their teeth. And instinctively, though he meant nothing, his hand groped at the hilt of his sabre. Mansart half rose from his chair. "You forget my dogs," he snarled. "And you forget the Prussians, who cannot be far off," replied the other; and when he perceived that the warning had a distinct effect he followed up his advantage. "You will have to take care of yourself here, monsieur, and yet greater care of your gold. I warn you that a Prussian force is shadowing us, so that they will almost certainly take this direction, if that is comforting for you to know." Mansart turned pale. "And as they have a couple of field-pieces, you may expect a display, by Jove!" He had scarcely spoken the words when a deep sound, a heavy thud, which appeared to come from a long distance, startled him. "Malediction! A gun!" exclaimed the captain. He had scarcely spoken when a second and much sharper report sounded. The shell had burst. Faint shouting came from below in the village. "The 'Blues' have come after all," said La Hire, and he went out.