play a rubber with me! With me, you imbeciles! You thought the
wolf of Bezers could be hunted down like any hare! Then listen,
and I will tell you the end of it. You are now in my house and
absolutely at my mercy. I have two score men within call who
would cut the throats of three babes at the breast, if I bade
them! Ay," he, added, a wicked exultation shining in his eyes,
"they would, and like the job!"

He was going on to say more, but I interrupted him. The rage I
felt, caused as much by the thought of our folly as by his
arrogance, would let me be silent no longer. "First, M. de
Bezers, first," I broke out fiercely, my words leaping over one
another in my haste, "a word with you! Let me tell you what I
think of you! You are a treacherous hound, Vidame! A cur! a
beast! And I spit upon you! Traitor and assassin!" I shouted,
"is that not enough? Will nothing provoke you? If you call
yourself a gentleman, draw!"

He shook his head; he was still smiling, still unmoved. "I do
not do my own dirty work," he said quietly, "nor stint my footmen
of their sport, boy."

"Very well!" I retorted. And with the words I drew my sword,
and sprang as quick as lightning to the curtain by which he had
entered. "Very well, we will kill you first!" I cried
wrathfully, my eye on his eye, and every savage passion in my
breast aroused, "and take our chance with the lackeys afterwards!
Marie! Croisette!" I cried shrilly, "on him, lads!"

But they did not answer! They did not move or draw. For the