"You do not seem to be much in the Duke's confidence, captain," I went on; "now take a word of advice from me! There is nothing: so easily cast off as an over-officious servant! He goes too far--and he goes like an old glove! An old glove," I repeated grimly, sneering in his face, "which saves the hand and suffers itself.

Beware of too much zeal, Captain Pallavicini! It is a dangerous thing!" He turned pale with anger at being thus treated by a beardless boy.
But he faltered all the same.

What I said was unpleasant, but the bravo knew it was true.
I saw the impression I had made, and I turned to the soldiers standing round.
"Bring here, my friends," I said, "M.

de Pavannes' sword!" One ran up to the guard house and brought it at once.

They were townsfolk, burgher guards or such like, and for some reason betrayed so evident a respect for me, that I soberly believe they would have turned on their temporary leader at my bidding.