Why question it ?" "Doubtless to your thought there exists small cause for questioning the word of so fair a woman," I acknowledged dryly.

"Yet to my vision, not wholly blinded by her charms, she possesses more of the Caucasian in face and manner than any other of the race.

If she is not of European birth I am a poor judge, Monsieur, and 't is my belief, if she told you she was not, the woman lied." I was scarcely prepared for the result of my words upon him; his face flushed, a sudden glow of anger sweeping into his eyes.
"You are, indeed, of bold heart," he exclaimed scornfully, "to malign a woman in her absence." "There are women no words can malign," I retorted sharply, stung by his tone, "I opine this Queen of savages belongs to that class.

To my mind it would be better were you to wax indignant over the wrongs of your wife rather than over a just picturing of this harlot." Before I could move to draw aside, he was upon his feet, and I felt the stinging blow of his hand across my lips.
"_Sacre_!" he cried, transported by sudden rage, "Charles de Noyan takes such affront from no man.

I denounce you as a cowardly vilifier of an absent woman." I know not why I failed to strike the fellow down.