foolish coxcomb, whose boastfulness had long wearied her.




CHAPTER VII

THE HOSTILITY OF SAINT-EUSTACHE


In the days that followed I saw much of the Chevalier de
Saint-Eustache. He was a very constant visitor at Lavedan, and the
reason of it was not far to seek. For my own part, I disliked
him - I had done so from the moment when first I had set eyes on
him - and since hatred, like affection, is often a matter of
reciprocity, the Chevalier was not slow to return my dislike. Our
manner gradually, by almost imperceptible stages, grew more distant,
until by the end of a week it had become so hostile that Lavedan
found occasion to comment upon it.

"Beware of Saint-Eustache," he warned me. "You are becoming very
manifestly distasteful to each other, and I would urge you to have
a care. I don't trust him. His attachment to our Cause is of a
lukewarm character, and he gives me uneasiness, for he may do much
harm if he is so inclined. It is on this account that I tolerate
his presence at Lavedan. Frankly, I fear him, and I would counsel
you to do no less. The man is a liar, even if but a boastful liar
and liars are never long out of mischief."

The wisdom of the words was unquestionable, but the advice in them