dship threw off his dressing-gown and stood forth in shirt and
breeches.

"Mais dpche-toi, donc, Belmont!" said he. "Nous nous battons! Ii faut
que je m'habille." Belmont, a little wizened fellow who understood
nothing of this topsy-turveydom, hastened forward, deposited his armful
on the table, and selected a finely embroidered waistcoat, which he
proceeded to hold for his master. Wriggling into it, Feversham rapped
out his orders.

"Captain Wentwort', you will go to your regimen at once. But
first, ah--wait. Take t'ose six men and Mistaire Wilding. 'Ave 'im shot
at once; you onderstan', eh? Good. Allons, Belmont! my cravat."

CHAPTER XXII. THE EXECUTION

Captain Wentworth clicked his heels together and saluted. Blake, in the
background, drew a deep breath--unmistakably of satisfaction, and his
eyes glittered. A muffled cry broke from Ruth, who rose instantly from
her chair, her hand on her bosom. Richard stood with fallen jaw, amazed,
a trifle troubled even, whilst Mr. Wilding started more in surprise than
actual fear, and approached the table.

"You heard, sir," said Captain Wentworth.

"I heard," answered Mr. Wilding quietly. "But surely not aright. One
moment, sir," and he waved his hand so compellingly that, despite the
order he had received, the phlegmatic captain hesitated.

Feversham, who had taken the cravat--a yard of priceless Dutch
lace--from the hands of his valet, and was standing with his back to the
company at a small and very faulty mirror that hung by the overmantel,
looked peevishly over his shoulder.

"My lord," said Wilding, and Blake, for all his hatred of this man,
marvelled at a composure that did not forsake him even now, "you are
surely not proposing to deal with me in this fashion--not seriously, my
lord?"

"Ah, ca!" said the Frenchman. "T'ink it a jest if you please. What for
you come 'ere?"

"Assuredly not for the purpose of being shot," said Wilding, and
actually smiled. Then, in the tones of one discussing a matter that is
grave but not of surpassing gravity, he continued: "It is not that I
fail to recognize that I may seem to have incurred the rigour of the
law; but these matters must be formally proved against me. I have
affairs to set in order against such a consummation."

"Ta, ta!" snapped Feversham. "T'at not regard me. Weutwort', you 'ave
'eard my order." And he returned to his mirror and the nice adjustment
of his neckwear.

"But, my lord," insisted Wil