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52 "I will not. I will not. Let me go," she cried, keeping up the pretence of anger.

"Kiss me then."

"I will not. How dare you force me like this?"

And they were struggling in this way when a wholly unexpected and unwelcome interruption came.

"How dare you treat a girl like that?" demanded a man's voice; and Antoine de Cavannes, followed by Henri d'Estelle, who had dogged Denys' footsteps, rushed up and laid violent hands on his shoulder. "Oh, it's you, Lucette," continued Antoine, in anger and surprise. "Why didn't you call me?"

Denys frowned darkly. He released Lucette, who fell back a step or two in disconcerted amazement.

"This is no concern of yours, gentlemen," said Denys.

"Indeed, but it is. No cowardly cur shall maltreat a girl in our presence, eh, d'Estelle?" The two men exchanged meaning glances.

"Be careful of your words, m'sieu, if you please," said Denys, his hand going involuntarily to his sword belt.

"Careful with a blackguardly girl-beater like you. Be off about your business and leave mademoiselle with me."

"By God!" cried Denys under his breath. "You shall eat those words, or I am no man."

"Out on you for a braggart," said Antoine, while his companion gave Denys a violent thrust.

"Be off with you, I say," he exclaimed roughly.

In a moment Denys' sword was out of its scabbard.

"No, no, Denys, you must not," cried Lucette, now in dire consternation at the turn matters had taken.

"You've often told me of this fellow's blackguard ways," said Antoine. "It's time he had a lesson how to behave."

"Gabrielle, Gabrielle," cried Lucette, catching sight of her. "Come here. Come here."