"It comes to my ears that you have been bandying a certain lady's name about Paris in a way that does not please me. You understand, yes?" "What the devil is it to you?" cried Bancroft, crimson-faced. "Sh, sh! Not so loud, if you please! Go on playing! I am informed that you speak of this lady as a pretty piece! It is not how I will have you speak of her. Also, you say that she fell in love with you _en désespéré_. _Eh bien_, I say that you lie in your throat!" "Sir!" "_Doucement, doucement._ Further, I say that if so be you again mention this lady's name in public I shall send my lackeys to punish you. It is understood?" "You--you--you impudent young cockerel! I shall know how to answer this! What's Cleone to you, eh?" The pleasant smile died. Philip leaned forward. "That name I will not have spoken, m'sieur. Strive to bear it in mind. I have many friends, and they will tell me if you speak of the lady when I am not by. And of the rest I have warned you." "Ye can understand this, Mr. Jettan--I'll speak of her how and when I like!" Philip shrugged. "You talk foolishly. There is no question of refusal to comply with my wishes. If I so please I can make Paris ve-ry uncomfortable for you. You know that, I think." Bancroft was speechless with rage. "There is another matter," continued Philip amiably. "Once before I had occasion to complain of your manner. I do so again. And I find the colour of your ribbons most distasteful to mine eye." Bancroft sprang up, his chair grating on the polished floor. "Perhaps you'll have the goodness to name your friends, sir?" he choked. Philip bowed. "This time, yes. It is a little debt I have to pay. M. le Comte de Saint-Dantin and M. de Bergeret will act for me. Or De Vangrisse yonder, or M. le Duc de Vally-Martin." "The first named will suffice," snapped Bancroft. "My friends will wait on them as soon as may be." With that he flounced away to the other end of the room. Philip walked back to De Vangrisse and perched on the arm of his chair. De Bergeret cast his dice and nodded at Philip. "The deed is done?" "Most satisfactorily," answered Philip. "Throw, Paul, you can beat that." "Not I! Jules has the devil's own luck to-night. If it is not an impertinence, are you to meet M. Bancroft?" "Of course. Oh, _peste_!"--as De Vangrisse cast his dice. "What did I tell you? May I second you?" "A thousand thanks, Paul. But Saint-Dantin and Jules have consented to act for me." "Well, I shall come as a spectator," said De Vangrisse. "Jules, another hundred! I'll not be beaten by you!" * * * * * Le Vallon, who had watched the brief encounter between his friend and Philip with great curiosity, now edged across to where Bancroft was standing. Bancroft turned. "Come apart a moment," he said. His voice was still trembling with passion. He and Le Vallon drew near to the window. "You saw that damned fellow come up to me just now?"