That is what I propose." "Father," gasped Suzanne, in horror, a horror that was echoed by the other three or four ladies present.

But the Marquise only laughed.
"He will be; richly served," she approved, with a sage nod of her pumpkin-like head-dress--"most richly served." A great pity arose now in the heart of Mademoiselle, as her father went below that he might carry out his barbarous design.

She was deaf to the dainty trifles which the most elegant Chevalier de Jacquelin was murmuring into her ear.

She stood, a tall, queenly figure, at the balcony's parapet and watched the preparations that were being made.
She heard her father's harshly-voiced commands.

She saw them literally tear the clothes from the unfortunate secretary's back, and lash him--naked to the waist--to the pump that stood by the horse-trough at the far end of the yard.