I felt that from the summit of his own success he durst laugh at me; and my blood boiled instantly.
"You are wondrous bold, Monsieur," I retorted, "when the matter is wholly one of words.

I regret I cannot pledge you such reward, so that I might learn how you would bear yourself in the attempt." He stared at me haughtily across the shoulder of the girl, as it doubting he heard aright.
"You question my courage to venture it ?" "It has been my experience that the cock that crows the loudest fights the least." "Oh, hush, Messieurs!" broke in Mademoiselle, her voice showing suppressed amusement.

"This platform is far too narrow to quarrel upon; and, besides, the condition of the wager is most easily met,--that is, if my lips be deemed of sufficiently rosy hue." I know I stood with opened mouth, so astounded by these mocking words as to be stricken dumb; but not so De Croix.

The audacity of his nature made eager response to the bold challenge.
"Do you mean what you say, Toinette ?" he asked, striving to gain a view of her face in the darkness.
"Do I?
And pray, why not ?" she questioned lightly.

"One kiss is not so very much to give, and I shall never miss it.