I defended myself, and I supplemented my defence by a caning, so that this poor Saint-Eustache might realize the unworthiness of what he had done.

That is all, madame." But she was not so easily to be appeased, not even when Mademoiselle and the Vicomte joined their voices to mine in extenuation of my conduct.

It was like Lavedan.

For all that he was full of dread of the result and of the vengeance Saint-Eustache might wreak--boy though he was--he expressed himself freely touching the Chevalier's behaviour and the fittingness of the punishment that had overtaken him.
The Vicomtesse stood in small awe of her husband, but his judgment upon a point of honour was a matter that she would not dare contest.

She was ministering to the still prostrate Chevalier who, I think, remained prostrate now that he might continue to make appeal to her sympathy--when suddenly she cut in upon Roxalanne's defence of me.
"Where have you been ?" she demanded suddenly.
"When, my mother ?" "This afternoon," answered the Vicomtesse impatiently.