you cur!..." he repeated, "am I to kill you or will you unsay those words ?" Then suddenly he relaxed his grip.

The habits of a lifetime would not be gainsaid even now.

A second ago his face had been livid with rage and hate, now a quick flush overspread it, as if he were ashamed of this loss of self-control.

He threw the little Frenchman away from him like he would a beast which had snarled, and passed his hand across his brow.
"Lud forgive me!" he said quaintly, "I had almost lost my temper." Chauvelin was not slow in recovering himself.

He was plucky and alert, and his hatred for this man was so great that he had actually ceased to fear him.