[Under the Red Robe by Stanley Weyman]@TWC D-Link bookUnder the Red Robe CHAPTER XI 4/41
Do you know, too, that he is in the Cardinal's pay? Do you know that he is here on the same errand which brings us here--to arrest M.de Cocheforet? Do you know that while we go about the business openly and in soldier fashion, it is his part to worm himself into your confidence, to sneak into Madame's intimacy, to listen at your door, to follow your footsteps, to hang on your lips, to track you--track you until you betray yourselves and the man? Do you know this, and that all his sympathy is a lie, Mademoiselle? His help, so much bait to catch the secret? His aim blood-money--blood-money? Why, MORBLEU!' the Lieutenant continued, pointing his finger at me, and so carried away by passion, so lifted out of himself by wrath and indignation, that I shrank before him--'you talk, lady, of contempt and abhorrence in the same breath with me, but what have you for him--what have you for him--the spy, the informer, the hired traitor? And if you doubt me, if you want evidence, look at him. Only look at him, I say.' And he might say it; for I stood silent still, cowering and despairing, white with rage and hate.
But Mademoiselle did not look.
She gazed straight at the Lieutenant. 'Have you done ?' she said. 'Done ?' he stammered; her words, her air, bringing him to earth again. 'Done? Yes, if you believe me.' 'I do not,' she answered proudly.
'If that be all, be satisfied, Monsieur.
I do not believe you.' 'Then tell me this,' he retorted, after a moment of stunned surprise. 'Answer me this! Why, if he was not on our side, do you think that we let him remain here? Why did we suffer him to stay in a suspected house, bullying us, annoying us, thwarting us, taking your part from hour to hour ?' 'He has a sword, Monsieur,' she answered with fine contempt. 'MILLE DIABLES!' he cried, snapping his fingers in a rage.
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