I returned her no answer beyond a curtly respectful invitation that she should speak her mind, couched--as had been her reproof--in a single word of address.
"Madonna ?" I challenged, and emulating something of old Falcone's attitude, I drew myself erect, flung back my head, and brought my eyes to the level of her own by an effort of will such as I had never yet exerted.
It was, I think, the bravest thing I ever did.

I felt, in doing it, as one feels who has nerved himself to enter fire.

And when the thing was done, the ease of it surprised me.

There followed no catastrophe such as I expected.

Before my glance, grown suddenly so very bold, her own eyes drooped and fell away as was her habit.