'Louis,' he remarked, with a melancholy kindliness of tone, 'fate has a
grudge against us two. It ruined our youth, and now it's embroiling us
once more. Can't we both be philosophical? Can't we contrive to look at
the thing in a--'

'Enough!' Ravengar almost yelled. 'You always talked that kind of d----d
nonsense, you did! Unless you can arrange to say you'll give her up, you
may as well hold your tongue.'

'Very well,' said Hugo, 'I'll hold my tongue.'

'That's all, then?'

'Quite all.'

'I suppose I can go? You'll let me pass? You'll not exercise your right
to treat me as a burglar?'

'There are the stairs. Pass Shawn boldly. He is terrible, but he will
not eat you.'

'Thanks.'

'And that is the unrivalled company promoter! And this is life!' Hugo
meditated when he was alone on the dome.

He leaned over the railing of the gallery, and watched his legions
gathering for the day's battle.