She pressed it, while Gorka said to her, with a scornful laugh, "That was the only affront left you to offer me--to summon your servants to defend you." "You are mistaken," she replied.

"I am not afraid.

I repeat you are mad, and I simply wish to prove it to you by recalling you to the reality of your situation....

Bid Mademoiselle Alba come down," said she to the footman whom her ring had summoned.

That phrase was the drop of cold water which suddenly broke the furious jet of vapor.