ap
his fingers under the Intendant's nose. 'It is time I protect my wife's
name from you, and by God, I will do it!' At that M'sieu' Doltaire
laugh, and Cournal turn to him, and say, 'Batard!' The Intendant have
out his sword, and he roar in a hoarse voice, 'Dog, you shall die!' But
M'sieu' Doltaire strike up his sword, and face the drunken man. 'No,
leave that to me. The King's cause goes shipwreck; we can't change
helmsman now. Think--scandal and your disgrace!' Then he make a pass at
m'sieu' Cournal, who parry quick. Another, and he prick his shoulder.
Another, and then madame beside me, as I spring back, throw aside the
curtains, and cry out, 'No, m'sieu'! no! For shame!'

"I kneel in a corner behind the curtains, and wait and listen. There is
not a sound for a moment; then I hear a laugh from M'sieu' Cournal, such
a laugh make me sick--loud, and full of what you call not care and the
devil. Madame speak down at them. 'Ah,' she say, 'it is so fine a sport
to drag a woman's name in the mire!' Her voice is full of spirit and she
look beautiful--beautiful. I never guess how a woman like that look;
so full of pride, and to speak like you could think knives sing as they
strike steel--sharp and cold. 'I came to see how gentlemen look at play,
and they end in brawling over a lady!'

"M'sieu' Doltaire speak to her, and they all put up their swords, and
M'sieu' Cournal sit down at a table, and he stare and stare up at the
balcony, and make a motion now and then with his hand. M'sieu' Doltaire
say to her, 'Madame, you must excuse our entertainment; we did not know
we had an audience so distinguished.' She reply, 'As scene-shifter and
prompter, M'sieu' Doltaire, you have a gift. Your Excellency,' she
say to the Intendant, 'I will wait for you at the top of the great
staircase, if you will be so good as to take me to the ballroom.' The
Intendant and M'sieu' Doltaire bow, and turn to the door, and M'sieu'
Cournal scowl, and make as if to follow; but madame speak down at him,
'M'sieu'--Argand'--like that! and he turn back, and sit down. I think
she forget me, I keep so still. The others bow and scrape, and leave the
room, and the two are alone--alone, for what am I? What if a dog hear
great people speak? No, it is no matter!

"There is all still for a little while, and I watch her face as she lean
over the rail and look down at him; it is like stone, like stone that
aches, and her eyes stare and stare at him. He look up at her