an argument by asserting that she was
the victim of her fancy, as it was by far too early in the year. By
that means these two found the plea they sought for quitting us, since
neither could rest until the other was convinced.

So down they went into that rose garden which methought was like to
prove their fool's paradise, and Yvonne and I were left alone. Then she
also rose, but as she was on the point of quitting me:

"Mademoiselle," I ventured, "will you honour me by remaining for a
moment? There is something that I would say to you."

With raised eyebrows she gave me a glance mingled with that
superciliousness which she was for ever bestowing upon me, and which,
from the monotony of it alone, grew irksome.

"What can you have to say to me, M. de Luynes?"

"Will you not be seated? I shall not long detain you, nevertheless--"

"If I stand, perchance you will be more brief. I am waiting, Monsieur."

I shrugged my shoulders rudely. Why, indeed, be courteous where so
little courtesy was met with?

"A little while ago, Mademoiselle, when M. de Mancini dubbed me a wizard
you were good enough to sneer. Now, a sneer, Mademoiselle, implies
unbelief, and I would convince you that you were wrong to disbelieve."

"If you have no other motive for detaining me, suffer me to depart," she
interrupted with some warmth. "Whether you be a wizard or not is of no
moment to me."

"And yet I dare swear that you will be of a different mind within five
minutes. A wizard is one who discloses things unknown to his fellow-men.
I am about to convince you that I can do this, and by convincing you I
am about to serve you."

"I seek neither conviction nor service at your hands," she answered.

"Your courtesy dumfounds me, Mademoiselle!"

"No less than does your insolence dumfound me," she retorted, with
crimson cheeks. "Do you forget, sir, that I know you for what you are--a
gamester, a libertine, a duellist, the murderer of my brother?"

"That your brother lives, Mademoiselle, is, methinks, sufficient proof
that I have not murdered him."

"You willed his death if you did not encompass it; so 't is all one.
Do you not understand that it is because my father receives you here,
thanks to M. de Mancini, your friend--a friendship easily understood
from the advantages you must derive from it--that I consent to endure
your presence and the insult of your glance? Is it not enough that
I should do this, and have you not wit enough to disc