And you thought, you whelps," he continued, and as he spoke his tone changed strangely, and he fixed us suddenly with angry eyes, "to play a rubber with me! With me, you imbeciles! You thought the wolf of Bezers could be hunted down like any hare! Then listen, and I will tell you the end of it.

You are now in my house and absolutely at my mercy.

I have two score men within call who would cut the throats of three babes at the breast, if I bade them! Ay," he, added, a wicked exultation shining in his eyes, "they would, and like the job!" He was going on to say more, but I interrupted him.

The rage I felt, caused as much by the thought of our folly as by his arrogance, would let me be silent no longer.

"First, M.de Bezers, first," I broke out fiercely, my words leaping over one another in my haste, "a word with you! Let me tell you what I think of you! You are a treacherous hound, Vidame! A cur! a beast! And I spit upon you! Traitor and assassin!" I shouted, "is that not enough?
Will nothing provoke you?
If you call yourself a gentleman, draw!" He shook his head; he was still smiling, still unmoved.