His outward composure hid a tumult of warring passions; shame and rage were at odds within him, and rising above both was a venomous desire to exact retribution from some one.

"Nothing with you!" he repeated.

"You may stand aside, young man, or, better, go to your classes.

What do you here at this hour, and idle, were the fitting question; and not, what is my business! Do you hear, sirrah ?" with a rap of his staff of office on the floor.

"Begone to your work!" But Claude, who had been thirsting this hour past for realms to conquer and dragons to subdue, and who, with his mistress beside him, felt himself a match for any ten, was not to be put aside.