"Come here," I said, beckoning to the man in the doorway.

"Come here, you rascal, and I will give you the thrashing you deserve for speaking to a gentleman!" He lounged forward, a heavy fellow, taller than myself and six inches wider at the shoulders.

My heart failed me a little as I measured him.
But the thing had to be done.

If I was slight, I was wiry as a hound, and in the excitement had forgotten my fatigue.

I snatched from Marie a loaded riding-whip he carried, and stepped forward.
"Have a care, little man!" cried the girl gaily--yet half in pity, I think.