It is on the subject of those expressions, monsieur, that I would hear you further--if you will honour me." Andre-Louis began to apprehend that there was something sinister in the air.

He was a man of quick intuitions, quicker far than those of M.de Vilmorin, who evinced no more than a mild surprise.
"I am at a loss, monsieur," said he.

"To what expressions does monsieur allude ?" "It seems, monsieur, that I must refresh your memory." The Marquis crossed his legs, and swung sideways on his chair, so that at last he directly faced M.de Vilmorin.

"You spoke, monsieur--and however mistaken you may have been, you spoke very eloquently, too eloquently almost, it seemed to me--of the infamy of such a deed as the act of summary justice upon this thieving fellow Mabey, or whatever his name may be.

Infamy was the precise word you used.