Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/215

Rh "I do assure you, my dear Gerbert, that it was a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?"

Four foot six glowered up at six foot four. Before the pigmy the giant seemed to cower.

"It is a misunderstanding, M. Kennard, which can only be explained with your life or with mine."

"Alphonse!—my husband!"

The girl advanced. The man shrank back.

"Madame Gerbert, have the goodness not to defile me with your touch. To the other things which you have brought me it but remained to add dishonour. That, also, you have brought me, last of all. Since, therefore, you have lied to me, and have returned to crush me, unto eternity, with the last offering of your shame—which, unfortunately, because it is yours, a thousand times more is mine!—for me it but remains to go!"

M. Gerbert made a movement towards the door. Mr. Kennard caught him by the shoulder.

"Gerbert, don't be a fool!"

In an instant M. Gerbert was like a wild-cat in a frenzy. Leaping up at Mr. Kennard, he attacked him, literally, tooth and nail. He poured forth language which was not only unparliamentary, but also unprintable. The big man, in his turn, was so taken by surprise that he made not the slightest attempt even at defence. The first paroxysm of his fury exhausted, the little man stamped on the floor and shrieked with rage.

"If I had but a pistol!" he screamed.

His wife, who was standing a yard or two away