Page:Mauprat (Heinemann).djvu/155

 I am not capable of spoiling the marriage she desires. Tell her that I claim but one thing of her, the fulfilment of that promise of friendship which she made me at Roche-Mauprat."

"In your eyes, then, that promise has a peculiar solemnity?" said the abbé. "If so, what grounds for distrusting it have you?"

I looked at him fixedly, and as he appeared very much agitated, I took a pleasure in keeping him on the rack, hoping that he would repeat my words to Edmée.

"None," I answered. "Only I observe that you are afraid that M. de la Marche may break off the marriage, if he happens to hear of the adventure at Roche-Mauprat. If the gentleman is capable of suspecting Edmée, and of grossly insulting her on the eve of his wedding, it seems to me that there is one very simple means of mending matters."

"What would you suggest?"

"Why, to challenge him and kill him."

"I trust you will do all you can to spare the venerable M. Hubert the necessity of facing such a hideous danger."

"I will spare him this and many others by taking upon myself to avenge my cousin. In truth, this is my right, Monsieur l'Abbé. I know the duties of a gentleman quite as well as if I had learnt Latin. You may tell her this from me. Let her sleep in peace. I will keep silence, and if that is useless I will fight."

"But, Bernard," replied the abbé in a gentle, insinuating tone, "have you thought of your cousin's affection for M. de la Marche?"

"All the more reason that I should fight him," I cried, in a fit of anger.