But that I keep faith with men, and honour with women, maybe I am, my lord." He darted a glance at me--a glance of anger.
"Is your mother dead ?" said I.
"Ay, she's dead." "She may thank God," said I, and I heard him curse me softly.

"Well, what's the message ?" I continued.
I had touched him on the raw, for all the world knew he had broken his mother's heart and flaunted his mistresses in her house; and his airy manner was gone for the moment.
"The duke offers you more than I would," he growled.

"A halter for you, sire, was my suggestion.

But he offers you safe-conduct across the frontier and a million crowns." "I prefer your offer, my lord, if I am bound to one." "You refuse ?" "Of course." "I told Michael you would;" and the villain, his temper restored, gave me the sunniest of smiles.

"The fact is, between ourselves," he continued, "Michael doesn't understand a gentleman." I began to laugh.
"And you ?" I asked.
"I do," he said.