must put up with frugal fare," I answered, bowing.

"If you but furnish locusts," he said gaily, "I will bring the wild
honey.... What wonderful hives of bees they have at the Seigneur
Duvarney's!" he continued musingly, as if with second thought; "a
beautiful manor--a place for pretty birds and honey-bees!"

His eyelids drooped languidly, as was their way when he had said
something a little carbolic, as this was to me, because of its
hateful suggestion. His words drew nothing from me, not even a look of
understanding, and, again bowing, we went our ways.

At the door of the dungeon Gabord held the torch up to my face. His own
had a look which came as near to being gentle as was possible to him.
Yet he was so ugly that it looked almost ludicrous in him. "Poom!" said
he. "A friend at court. More comfits."

"You think Monsieur Doltaire gets comfits, too?" asked I.

He rubbed his cheek with a key. "Aho!" mused he--"aho! M'sieu' Doltaire
rises not early for naught."

XII. "THE POINT ENVENOMED TOO!"

I was roused by the opening of the door. Doltaire entered. He advanced
towards me with the manner of an admired comrade, and, with no trace of
what would mark him as my foe, said, as he sniffed the air:

"Monsieur, I have been selfish. I asked myself to breakfast with you,
yet, while I love the new experience, I will deny myself in this. You
shall breakfast with me, as you pass to your new lodgings. You must not
say no," he added, as though we were in some salon. "I have a sleigh
here at the door, and a fellow has already gone to fan my kitchen fires
and forage for the table. Come," he went on, "let me help you with your
cloak."

He threw my cloak around me, and turned towards the door. I had not
spoken a word, for what with weakness, the announcement that I was to
have new lodgings, and the sudden change in my affairs, I was like a
child walking in its sleep. I could do no more than bow to him and force
a smile, which must have told more than aught else of my state, for he
stepped to my side and offered me his arm. I drew back from that with
thanks, for I felt a quick hatred of myself that I should take favours
of the man who had moved for my destruction, and to steal from me my
promised wife. Yet it was my duty to live if I could, to escape if that
were possible, to use every means to foil my enemies. It was all a
game; why should I not accept advances at my enemy's hands, and match
dissimulation with dissim