simply because his
rival was a gentleman; he would not have hesitated a second about having
half-a-dozen bourgeois murdered, if they had been rash or unfortunate
enough to interfere with him, the blood of such base, ignoble
creature being of no more consequence in his eyes than so much
water. Vallombreuse would have liked to despatch his enemy himself
in honourable combat, but that was rendered impossible by the baron's
superior ability as a swordsman, of which he still had a painful
reminder in his wounded arm; which was scarcely healed yet, and would
prevent his indulging in anything like a duel for some time to come. So
his thoughts turned to the abduction of the young actress; a pleasanter
subject to dwell upon, as he felt not the slightest doubt that once he
had her to himself, separated from de Sigognac and her companions, she
would not long be able to withstand his eloquent pleading and personal
attractions. His self-conceit was boundless, but not much to be wondered
at, considering his invariable and triumphant success in affairs of
gallantry; so, in spite of his recent repulse, he flattered himself that
he only required a fitting opportunity to obtain from Isabelle all that
he desired.

"Let me have her for a few days in some secluded place," said he to
himself, "where she cannot escape from me, or have any intercourse with
her friends, and I shall be sure to win her heart. I shall be so kind
and good and considerate to her, treat her with so much delicacy and
devotion, that she cannot help feeling grateful to me; and then the
transition to love will be easy and natural. But when once I have won
her, made her wholly mine, then she shall pay dearly for what she has
made me suffer. Yes, my lady, I mean to have my revenge--you may rest
assured of that."

CHAPTER XV. MALARTIC AT WORK

If the Duke of Vallombreuse had been furious after his unsuccessful
visit to Isabelle, the Baron de Sigognac was not less so, when, upon his
return that evening, he learned what had taken place during his absence.
The tyrant and Blazius were almost obliged to use force to prevent his
rushing off, without losing a minute, to challenge the duke to mortal
combat--a challenge sure to be refused; for de Sigognac, being neither
the brother nor husband of the injured fair one, had no earthly right
to call any other gentleman to account for his conduct towards her; in
France all men are at liberty to pay their court to every pretty wo