'Bid your wife lay for us, and of the best you have; and do you give those knaves their provender where the smell of their greasy jackets will not come between us and our victuals.' The man came forward, glad enough, as I saw, to discover any one in authority, and very civilly began to draw wine and place a board for us, while his wife filled our platters from the black pot which hung over the fire.

Fresnoy's face meanwhile wore the amused smile of one who comprehended my motives, but felt sufficiently sure of his position and influence with his followers to be indifferent to my proceedings.
I presently showed him, however, that I had not yet done with him.

Our table was laid in obedience to my orders at such a distance from the men that they could not overhear our talk, and by-and-by I leant over to him.
'M.

Fresnoy,' I said, 'you are in danger of forgetting one thing, I fancy, which it behoves you to remember.' 'What ?' he muttered, scarcely deigning to look up at me.
'That you have to do with Gaston de Marsac,' I answered quietly.

'I am making, as I told you this morning, a last attempt to recruit my fortunes, and I will let no man--no man, do you understand, M.
Fresnoy ?--thwart me and go harmless.' 'Who wishes to thwart you ?' he asked impudently.
'You,' I answered unmoved, helping myself, as I spoke, from the roll of black bread which lay beside me.