The old noble was iron hard.

He had no sympathy with the Empire or its Emperor, but the determination of the young officer did arouse a certain degree of admiration.

He would fain have spared him if he could, but, as he had sacrificed everything he possessed for the King, and counted the sacrifice as nothing, his sympathies did not abate his determination to punish treason and contumacy one whit.
The Marquis was accustomed to having things his own way, and the long period of exile had not changed his natural bent of mind in that particular.

He was angry, too, at the stubbornness which he nevertheless admired.

In other directions the Marquis was balked.