You did not retract that word when I had the honour to inform you that it was by my orders that my gamekeeper Benet proceeded as he did." "If," said M.de Vilmorin, "the deed was infamous, its infamy is not modified by the rank, however exalted, of the person responsible.

Rather is it aggravated." "Ah!" said M.le Marquis, and drew a gold snuffbox from his pocket.

"You say, 'if the deed was infamous,' monsieur.

Am I to understand that you are no longer as convinced as you appeared to be of its infamy ?" M.de Vilmorin's fine face wore a look of perplexity.

He did not understand the drift of this.
"It occurs to me, M.le Marquis, in view of your readiness to assume responsibility, that you must believe justification for the deed which is not apparent to myself." "That is better.