"What have you to say, Madame?" he demanded.
"To you? Nothing, save that if you do not at once stand aside I shall
call for aid. Your impertinence is even greater than Monsieur
d'Halluys'. I wonder at your courage in thus addressing me."
"I am not a patient man, Madame," coming closer. "I have publicly
vowed my love for you, and Heaven nor hell shall keep me from you."
"Not even myself? Come, Monsieur," wrathfully, "you are acting like a
fool or a boy. Women such as I am are not won in this braggart
fashion. Certainly you must admit that I have something to say in
regard to the disposition of my hand. And let me say this at once: I
shall wed no man; and were either you or Monsieur le Comte the last man
in the world, I should run away and hide. Stand aside."
"And if I should use force?" throwing aside the reins of self-control.
"Force, force!" flinging wide her hands; "you speak to me of force!
Monsieur, you are not a fool, but a madman."
"But we are still tender toward the Chevalier?" snarling.
"The least I can say of Monsieur le Chevalier is that he is a
gentleman."
"A gentleman? Ho! that is rich.
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