Some day I may ask that life for a day's use, and then,
Voban, then will you give it?"

There was a moment's pause, and the barber answered, "M'sieu', I owe you
nothing. I would have killed you then; you may kill me, if you will."

Doltaire nodded musingly. Something was passing through his mind. I
judged he was thinking that here was a man who as a servant would be
invaluable.

"Well, well, we can discuss the thing at leisure, Voban," he said at
last. "Meanwhile you may wait here till Captain Moray has breakfasted,
and then you shall be at his service; and I would have a word with you,
also."

Turning with a polite gesture to me, he led the way into the
breakfast-room, and at once, half famished, I was seated at the table,
drinking a glass of good wine, and busy with a broiled whitefish of
delicate quality. We were silent for a time, and the bird in the alcove
kept singing as though it were in Eden, while chiming in between the
rhythms there came the silvery sound of sleigh-bells from the world
without. I was in a sort of dream, and I felt there must be a rude
awakening soon. After a while, Doltaire, who seemed thinking keenly,
ordered the servant to take in a glass of wine to Voban.

He looked up at me after a little, as if he had come back from a long
distance, and said, "It is my fate to have as foes the men I would have
as friends, and as friends the men I would have as foes. The cause of my
friends is often bad; the cause of my enemies is sometimes good. It
is droll. I love directness, yet I have ever been the slave of
complication. I delight in following my reason, yet I have been of the
motes that stumble in the sunlight. I have enough cruelty in me, enough
selfishness and will, to be a ruler, and yet I have never held an
office in my life. I love true diplomacy, yet I have been comrade to the
official liar, and am the captain of intrigue--la! la!"

"You have never had an enthusiasm, a purpose?" said I.

He laughed, a dry, ironical laugh. "I have both an enthusiasm and a
purpose," he answered, "or you would by now be snug in bed forever."

I knew what he meant, though he could not guess I understood. He was
referring to Alixe and the challenge she had given him. I did not
feel that I had anything to get by playing a part of friendliness, and
besides, he was a man to whom the boldest speaking was always palatable,
even when most against himself.

"I am sure neither would bear daylight," said I.

"Why,