es, there DO exist special reasons for his doing so," assented De
Griers in a conciliatory tone, yet with rising anger. "You are
acquainted with Mlle. de Cominges, are you not?"

"Mlle. Blanche, you mean?"

"Yes, Mlle. Blanche de Cominges. Doubtless you know also that the
General is in love with this young lady, and may even be about to marry
her before he leaves here? Imagine, therefore, what any scene or
scandal would entail upon him!"

"I cannot see that the marriage scheme need, be affected by scenes or
scandals."

"Mais le Baron est si irascible--un caractere prussien, vous savez!
Enfin il fera une querelle d'Allemand."

"I do not care," I replied, "seeing that I no longer belong to his
household" (of set purpose I was trying to talk as senselessly as
possible). "But is it quite settled that Mlle. is to marry the General?
What are they waiting for? Why should they conceal such a matter--at
all events from ourselves, the General's own party?"

"I cannot tell you. The marriage is not yet a settled affair, for they
are awaiting news from Russia. The General has business transactions to
arrange."

"Ah! Connected, doubtless, with madame his mother?"

De Griers shot at me a glance of hatred.

"To cut things short," he interrupted, "I have complete confidence in
your native politeness, as well as in your tact and good sense. I feel
sure that you will do what I suggest, even if it is only for the sake
of this family which has received you as a kinsman into its bosom and
has always loved and respected you."

"Be so good as to observe," I remarked, "that the same family has just
EXPELLED me from its bosom. All that you are saying you are saying but
for show; but, when people have just said to you, 'Of course we do not
wish to turn you out, yet, for the sake of appearance's, you must
PERMIT yourself to be turned out,' nothing can matter very much."

"Very well, then," he said, in a sterner and more arrogant tone.
"Seeing that my solicitations have had no effect upon you, it is my
duty to mention that other measures will be taken. There exist here
police, you must remember, and this very day they shall send you
packing. Que diable! To think of a blanc bec like yourself challenging
a person like the Baron to a duel! Do you suppose that you will be
ALLOWED to do such things? Just try doing them, and see if any one will
be afraid of you! The reason why I have asked you to desist is that I
can see that your conduct i