y
understand the choice I have to offer you. Follow me, I beseech you, to
this window." And he led the way to one of the large windows which stood
open on the night. "You observe," he went on, "there is an iron ring in
the upper masonry, and reeved through that a very efficacious rope. Now,
mark my words: if you should find your disinclination to my niece's
person insurmountable, I shall have you hanged out of this window before
sunrise. I shall only proceed to such an extremity with the greatest
regret, you may believe me. For it is not at all your death that I
desire, but my niece's establishment in life. At the same time, it must
come to that if you prove obstinate. Your family, Monsieur de Beaulieu,
is very well in its way; but if you sprang from Charlemagne, you should
not refuse the hand of a Maletroit with impunity--not if she had been as
common as the Paris road--not if she were as hideous as the gargoyle
over my door. Neither my niece nor you, nor my own private feelings,
move me at all in this matter. The honour of my house has been
compromised; I believe you to be the guilty person; at least you are now
in the secret; and you can hardly wonder if I request you to wipe out
the stain. If you will not, your blood be on your own head! It will be
no great satisfaction to me to have your interesting relics kicking
their heels in the breeze below my windows; but half a loaf is better
than no bread, and if I cannot cure the dishonour, I shall at least stop
the scandal."

There was a pause.

"I believe there are other ways of settling such imbroglios among
gentlemen," said Denis. "You wear a sword, and I hear you have used it
with distinction."

The Sire de Maletroit made a signal to the chaplain, who crossed the
room with long, silent strides and raised the arras over the third of
the three doors. It was only a moment before he let it fall again; but
Denis had time to see a dusky passage full of armed men.

"When I was a little younger, I should have been delighted to honour
you, Monsieur de Beaulieu," said Sire Alain; "but I am now too old.
Faithful retainers are the sinews of age, and I must employ the strength
I have. This is one of the hardest things to swallow as a man grows up
in years; but with a little patience, even this becomes habitual. You
and the lady seem to prefer the salle for what remains of your two
hours; and as I have no desire to cross your preference, I shall resign
it to your use with all