But--but--would it not be better--more--ah--satisfactory to all concerned, if you yourself were to go to Condillac, and deliver your message in person, demanding mademoiselle ?" The man from Paris looked at him a moment, then stood up suddenly, and shifted the carriages of his sword back to their normal position.

His brows came together in a frown, from which the Seneschal argued that his suggestion was not well received.
"Monsieur," said the Parisian very coldly, like a man who contains a rising anger, "let me tell you that this is the first time in my life that I have been concerned in anything that had to do with women and I am close upon forty years of age.

The task, I can assure you, was little to my taste.

I embarked upon it because, being a soldier and having received my orders, I was in the unfortunate position of being unable to help myself.

But I intend, monsieur, to adhere rigidly to the letter of these commands.