Page:Stanley Weyman--Count Hannibal.djvu/217

Rh “You would whip me, I suppose?”

“Yes,” he said quietly. “It would do you good, Madame. And with other women otherwise. There are women who, if they are well frightened, will not deceive you. And there are others who will not deceive you though they are frightened. Madame de Tavannes is of the latter kind.”

“Wait! Wait and see!” Madame cried in scorn.

“I am waiting.”

“Yes! And whereas if you had come to me I could have told her that about M. de Tignonville which would have surprised her, you will go on waiting and waiting and waiting until one fine day you’ll wake up and find Madame gone, and”

“Then I’ll take a wife I can whip!” he answered, with a look which apprised her how far she had carried it. “But it will not be you, sweet cousin. For I have no whip heavy enough for your case.”