exceed the determination with which she said these words,
unless it were the malicious pleasure in thwarting my wishes which made
itself seen through the veil of assumed indifference. I felt myself
brought up with a vengeance, and in a manner the most provoking that
could be conceived. But opposition so childish, so utterly wanton,
by exciting my indignation, had presently the effect of banishing the
peculiar bashfulness I felt in her presence, and recalling me to my
duty.

'Mademoiselle,' I said firmly, looking at her with a fixed countenance,
'pardon me if I speak plainly. This is no time for playing with straws.
The men from whom you escaped once are as determined and more desperate
now. By this time they probably know of your arrival. Do, then, as I
ask, I pray and beseech you. Or this time I may lack the power, though
never the will, to save you.'

Wholly ignoring my appeal, she looked into my face--for by this time I
had advanced to her side--with a whimsical smile. 'You are really much
improved in manner since I last saw you,' she said.

'Mademoiselle!' I replied, baffled and repelled. 'What do you mean?'

'What I say,' she answered, flippantly. 'But it was to be expected.'

'For shame!' I cried, provoked almost beyond bearing by her ill-timed
raillery, 'will you never be serious until you have ruined us and
yourself? I tell you this house is not safe for you! It is not safe for
me! I cannot bring my men to it, for there is not room for them. If you
have any spark of consideration, of gratitude, therefore--'

'Gratitude!' she exclaimed, swinging her mask slowly to and fro by a
ribbon, while she looked up at me as though my excitement amused her.
'Gratitude--'tis a very pretty phrase, and means much; but it is for
those who serve us faithfully, M. de Marsac, and not for others. You
receive so many favours, I am told, and are so successful at Court, that
I should not be justified in monopolising your services.'

'But, mademoiselle--' I said in a low tone. And there I stopped. I dared
not proceed.

'Well, sir,' she answered, looking up at she after a moment's silence,
and ceasing on a sudden to play with her toy, 'what is it?'

'You spoke of favours,' I continued, with an effort. 'I never received
but one from a lady. That was at Rosny, and from your hand.'

'From my hand?' she answered, with an air of cold surprise.

'It was so, mademoiselle.'

'You have fallen into some strange mistake, sir,' she rep