‘Tut-tut,--the ladies!’ I said. ‘You forget yourself, Monsieur.’ ‘Forget myself?’ he hissed, and this time he did not check his oath. ‘Don’t talk to me of the ladies! Madame? Bah! Do you think, fool, that we are put into rebel’s houses to bow and smile and take dancing lessons?’ ‘In this case a lesson in politeness were more to the point, Monsieur,’ I said sternly. And I rose. ‘Was it by your orders that this was done?’ he retorted, his brow black with passion. Answer, will you?’ ‘It was!’ I replied outright. ‘Then take that!’ he cried, dashing his hat violently in my face, ‘and come outside.’ ‘With pleasure, Monsieur,’ I answered, bowing; ‘in one moment. Permit me to find my sword. I think that it is in the passage.’ I went thither to get it. When I returned, I found that the two men were waiting for me in the garden, while the ladies had risen from the table, and were standing near it with blanched faces. ‘You had better take your sister upstairs, Mademoiselle,’ I said gently, pausing a moment beside them. ‘Have no fear. All will be well.’ But what is it?’ she answered, looking troubled. ‘It was so sudden. I am--I did not understand. You quarrelled so quickly.’ ‘It is very simple,’ I answered, smiling. ‘M. le Capitaine insulted you yesterday; he will pay for it to-day. That is all. Or, not quite all,’ I continued, dropping my voice and speaking in a different tone. ‘His removal may help you, Mademoiselle. Do you understand? I think that there will be no more searching to-day.’ She uttered an exclamation, grasping my arm and peering into my face. ‘You will kill him?’ she muttered. I nodded. ‘Why not?’ I said. She caught her breath, and stood with one hand clasped to her bosom, gazing at me with parted lips, the blood mounting to her checks. Gradually the flush melted into a fierce smile. ‘Yes, yes, why not?’ she repeated between her teeth. ‘Why not?’ She had her hand on my arm, and I felt her fingers tighten until I could have winced. ‘Why not? So you planned this--for us, Monsieur?’ I nodded. ‘But can you?’ ‘Safely,’ I said; then, muttering to her to take her sister upstairs, I turned towards the garden. My foot was already on the threshold, and I was composing my face to meet the enemy, when I heard a movement behind me. The next moment her hand was on my arm. ‘Wait! Wait a moment! Come back!’ she panted. I turned. The smile and flush had vanished; her face was pale. ‘No!’ she said abruptly. ‘I was wrong! I, will not have it. I will have no part in it! You planned it last night, M. de Barthe. It is murder.’ ‘Mademoiselle!’ I exclaimed, wondering. ‘Murder? Why? It is a duel.’ ‘It is murder,’ she answered persistently. ‘You planned it last night. You said so.’ ‘But I risk my own life,’ I replied sharply. ‘Nevertheless--I will have no part in it,’ she answered more faintly. She was trembling with agitation. Her eyes avoided mine.