As you please." "Your questions ?" Claude cried, recalling with rage the occasions on which he had heard this man insult her.

"Hear me one moment, and I will very quickly prove----" He was silent with the word on his lips.

Her hand on his sleeve recalled the necessity of prudence.

He bit his lip and stood glowering at them.
It was she who spoke.
"What do you wish ?" she asked in a low voice.
Naturally courageous as she was, she could not have spoken but for the support of her lover.

For the unexpected conjunction of these two, and their entrance together, smote her with fear.