No one shall ever say that that cowardly villain, the Duke de Champdoce, insulted me with impunity.

Tell me, will you help me ?" "In the name of heaven!" cried he, "do not speak so loud.

You do not know the adversary that you have to contend with." "Are you afraid of him ?" "Yes, I do fear him; and what is more, I fear him very much.

He is a determined man, and will gain his object at any cost or risk.

Do you know that he did his best to crush me because I summoned him to court on behalf of one of my clients?
So that now, when any one comes to me and wishes to proceed against the Duke, I am glad to decline to take up the matter." "And so," returned the young girl in a tone of cold contempt, "after leading us to this compromising position, you are ready to abandon us at the most critical moment ?" "Can you think such a thing, mademoiselle ?" "You can act as you please, Counsellor; Norbert is still left to me; he will protect me." Daumon shook his head with an air of deep sorrow.
"How can we be sure that at this very moment the Marquis has not given in to all his father's wishes ?" "No," exclaimed the girl; "such a supposition is an insult to Norbert.
He would sooner die than give in.