In silence she watched them, a sinister smile upon her beautiful, ivory face.
Then came a sound of feet and voices in the anteroom.

The door was flung violently open, and a half-dozen men with naked swords came blundering into the room, Marius bringing up the rear.
With a cry of fear Valerie shrank back against the panelled wall, her little hands to her cheeks, her eyes dilating with alarm.
Garnache's sword rasped out, an oath rattled from his clenched teeth, and he fell on guard.

The men paused, and took his measure.

Marius urged them on, as if they had been a pack of dogs.
"At him!" he snapped, his finger pointing, his handsome eyes flashing angrily.

"Cut him down!" They moved; but mademoiselle moved at the same moment.