"And why should I not mean it ?" "Because," he replied slowly, "cowl or no cowl, when I meet your cousin--" "'Twill go hard with him ?" she cried, with a mocking laugh.

"And you think I fear for him.

That is it, is it ?" He nodded.
"I fear just _so much_ for him!" she retorted with contempt.

"Just so much!" And coming a step nearer to Tignonville she snapped her small white fingers under his nose.

"Do you see?
No, M.de Tignonville," she continued, "you do not know Count Hannibal if you think that he fears, or that any fear for him.