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24 that her face might not be seen by his ferrety eyes. She resolved to get it from him.

"Bah! Am I a fool, Master Dauban, that you would fill my ears with lies about a good man? You say truly, the Baron de Proballe is in no favour of mine, but at least I know him to be an honest, fair-speaking, straight-dealing gentleman."

The man laughed unctuously, as from the enjoyable vantage point of superior knowledge.

"I know what I know," he said cunningly.

"You know no ill of him, and I will hear none. He is Mademoiselle Gabrielle's uncle and protecting friend, and a good man." Lucette's tone was full of reproachful indignation.

"Yes, he is miladi's uncle, and a good man." He laughed again with the same unctuous suggestion of intense enjoyment. "And all you people here in Malincourt are so sharp and clever—so sharp and clever—as clever as he is good."

"We are sharp enough to know an honest man when we see him, and clever enough not to listen to the tales of a maligner, Master Dauban," retorted Lucette with an appearance of great warmth. Her anger so delighted the man that he threw himself into the seat near her and laughed till his sides shook.

"What fools women are!"

"They are a match for a man's brilliant wits any time," cried Lucette very sharply. "Go away and leave me in peace."

"A match for us! ho, ho! a match," he laughed. Presently he grew serious, leaned forward and said in a lone tone: "You love miladi; you think my master a good man, eh? What would you give to know what I know?"

"I wouldn't know all the wickedness you know for