le Comte," he stammered, "I do not understand this language! Nor this heat, which may be real or not! All I say is, if there be foul play here--" "If!" Tavannes retorted.

"At least, if there be, there be gibbets too! And I see necks!" he added, leaning forward.

"Necks!" And then, with a look of flame, "Let no man leave this table until I return," he cried, "or he will have to deal with me.

Nay," he continued, changing his tone abruptly, as the prudence, which never entirely left him--and perhaps the remembrance of the other's fifty spearmen--sobered him in the midst of his rage, "I am hasty.

I mean not you, M.de Montsoreau! Ride where you will; ride with me, if you will, and I will thank you.