Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/179

168 believed, you have not been always noted for your fealty."

"Coarse language, and not over-wise"

"I cannot stop to refine, nor yet, perhaps, to reason. Tell me how I am to deal with you. As friend or foe?"

"Sir, that is scarcely the way to learn. Diplomacy would not díctate such rough-and-ready questions."

"Possibly. But I am no diplomatist."

"I imagine not. No one would suspect you of it."

"Spare your satire. Give me a plain answer."

"Not a popular thing, commonly."

Erceldoune shook with rage. This play of words was to him in his extremity as the irritation of the whip's light lash is to the caged tiger in its wrath. He flung himself away with an unconscious violence.

"Do your worst, if you choose to do it. Go and turn traitor against the woman at whose table you sat, and under whose roof you were welcome. Adventurers fitly end in renegades."

"Wait. You mistake."

Erceldoune paused.

"Show me my error, and I will confess it."