But he continued to wear his air of good-fellowship, and his teeth, which were white as milk and quite even, showed all the time.
Meanwhile the Commodore's brow did not clear.

He was a wiry, tall man, of beautiful manners and a singularly urbane demeanour, but he could not hide the annoyance which this letter caused him.
He finished it, turned abruptly to the beginning, and read it through again; then looked at Captain Salt with a shade of severity on his face.

"Sir," he said, in a carefully regulated voice, "you may count on my obeying his Majesty's commands to the letter." He laid some stress on the two words "commands" and "letter." "I thank you, monsieur," answered the Englishman, without allowing himself to show that he perceived this.
"I am ordered"-- again the word "ordered" was slightly emphasised--"I am ordered to make you welcome on board my galley.

Therefore I must ask you to consider yourself at home here for so long as it may please you to stay." He bowed again, but very stiffly, nor did he offer to shake hands.
Captain Salt regarded him with his head tilted a little to one side, and his lips pursed up as if he were whistling silently.

As a matter of fact he was whispering to himself, "You shall rue this, my gentleman!" But aloud he asked the somewhat puzzling question: "Is that all, monsieur ?" "Why, yes," answered M.de la Pailletine, "except that you need have no doubt I shall treat you with the respect which is your due, or rather--" "Pray proceed." "-- Or rather, with the respect which his Majesty thinks is your due." "And which you do not." "Excuse me, sir; I do not venture to set up my opinion against that of King Lewis." "Yes, yes, of course; but, monsieur, I was trying to get at your own feelings.