And then to the miserable servants, who hung back afraid to leave the shelter of their mistress's skirts, "To your places!" he cried.
"Set Mademoiselle's chair.

Are you so remiss on other days?
If so," with a look of terrible meaning, "you will be the less loss! Now, Mademoiselle, may I have the honour?
And when we are at table we can talk." He extended his hand, and, obedient to his gesture, she moved to the place at the head of the table, but without letting her fingers come into contact with his.

He gave no sign that he noticed this, but he strode to the place on her right, and signed to Tignonville to take that on her left.
"Will you not be seated ?" he continued.

For she kept her feet.
She turned her head stiffly, until for the first time her eyes looked into his.

A shudder more violent than the last shook her.
"Had you not better--kill us at once ?" she whispered.