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 tone of irony and bitterness, placing herself in front of the door. "So you are the creature who has taken his fancy now, are you? Let me ask you this, madame, do you think I have risked my life and freedom for him, that he may spend his love on such as you, hein? It is to the death between us, I warn you. Not yet, for we are not in a position, but later—later!"

"Let me pass!" Philippa demanded, hysterically, frightened out of her self-control. "I have done my duty—let me go! I don't know you, and I don't understand."

The Frenchwoman laughed, jeeringly.

"Oh, no. How should you understand!"

A sound of voices in the corridor made her lower her tone. "Oh, no. But wait, wait till we are out of the woods; then come to France if you dare, and see what the end will be."

Philippa's nerves were giving way. She felt ill and dizzy; but her glance fell on the call-bell, and her face lighted up.

"I shall ring," she said, with all the dignity she could muster.

Madame Tollé caught her hand just as the 220