"_Parbleu_! you are a cowardly hound to talk thus.
Safe! think you I have anything to fear at your hands ?" "I bid you restrain your tongue, Chevalier," I said, my voice unsteady.
"God being my witness, never before did you stand so close to death as now.

Look," and I held up the keen blade before his eyes.

"This steel thirsts for your blood; only one thought has intervened to save you." "What was that ?" "The fact that you are the husband of one who was once Eloise Lafreniere." I know not how much of the truth he suspected, but for a moment we stood thus, I half imagining he contemplated a leap at my throat.

Then his eyes fell, and he drew back with a short laugh.
"_Le Diable_! 'tis easy for some people to discover excuses at such a time.

Still, Monsieur, as you refuse to fight I may as well lie down; having been early awake I am somewhat weary." I watched him silently while he arranged his robes for the night.
"Before you sleep," I ventured, "it would please my curiosity to know where this pure and peerless Queen of yours makes her abode." "Ah! would you pay her a visit ?" he asked suspiciously.
"Far from it; rather that I may avoid her.