Всего за 0.01 руб. Купить полную версию
"Au contraire , Sir Giles," Madame Bonaventure replied. "I readily admit the receipt of a written message from you, which, though scarcely intelligible to my poor comprehension, did not seem as agreeably worded as a billet-doux. Mais, ma foi ! I attached little importance to it. I did not suppose it possiblenor do I suppose it possible now"with a captivating smile, which was totally lost upon Sir Giles"that you could adopt such rigorous measures against me."
"My measures may appear rigorous, Madame," Sir Giles coldly replied; "but I am warranted in taking them. Nay, I am compelled to take them. Not having made the satisfaction required by the notice, you have deprived yourself of the protection
perfect calmness in the midst of the tumult, "a word with you ere it be too late. I don't address myself to you, Jocelyn Mounchensey, for you are undeserving of any friendly considerationbut to all others I would counsel forbearance and non-resistance. Deliver up that woman to me."
"I will die upon the spot sooner than you shall be surrendered," said Jocelyn, encouraging the hostess, who clung to his disengaged arm.
"Oh! merci! grand merci, mon beau gentilhomme!" she exclaimed.
"Am I to understand then, that you mean to impede me in the lawful execution of my purposes, gentlemen?" Sir Giles demanded.
"We mean to prevent an unlawful arrest," several voices rejoined.
"Be it so," the knight said; "I wash my hands of the consequences." Then turning to his followers, he added"Officers, at all hazards, attach the person of Dameris Bonaventure, and convey her to the Compter. At the same time, arrest the young man-beside herJocelyn Mounchensey,who has uttered treasonable language against our sovereign lord the King. I will tell you how to dispose of him anon. Do my bidding at once."
But ere the order could be obeyed, the authoritative voice which had previously been heard from the upper table exclaimed"Hold!"
Sir Giles paused; looked irresolute for a minute; and then checked his myrmidons with a wave of the hand.
"Who is it stays the law?" he said, with the glare of a tiger from whom a bone has been snatched.
"One you must needs obey, Sir Giles," replied Lord Roos, coming towards him from the upper table. "You have unconsciously played a part in a comedyand played it very well, toobut it is time to bring the piece to an end. We are fast verging on the confines of tragedy."
"I do not understand you, my lord," Sir Giles returned, gravely. "I discern nothing comic in the matter; though much of serious import."
"You do not perceive the comedy, because it has been part of our scheme to keep you in the dark, Sir Giles."
"So there is a scheme, then, a-foot here, my lord?ha!"
"A little merry plot; nothing more, Sir Gilesin the working of which your worthy co-patentee, Sir Francis Mitchell, has materially assisted."
"Ha!" exclaimed Sir Giles, glancing at his partner, who still occupied his elevated position upon the table"I presume, then, I have to thank you, my lord, for the indignity offered to my friend?"
"As you please, Sir Giles," Lord Roos returned carelessly. "You call it an indignity; but in my opinion the best thing to be done with a man whose head so swims with wine that his legs refuse to support him, is to tie him in a chair. He may else sacrifice his dignity by rolling under the table. But let this pass for the nonce. Before Sir Francis was wholly overcome, he was good enough to give me his signature. You saw him do it, gentlemen?" he added, appealing to the company.
"Yesyes!we saw him write it!" was the general reply.
"And to what end was this done, my lord?" Sir Giles demanded, sternly.
"To enable me," replied the imperturbable young nobleman, "to draw out a receipt in full of your joint claims against Madame Bonaventure. I have done it, Sir Giles; and here it is. And I have taken care to grant a renewal of her licence from the date of your notice; so that no penalties or fines can attach to her for neglect. Take it, Madame Bonaventure" he continued, handing her the paper. "It is your full acquittance."
"And think you, my lord, that this shallow artificeto give it no harsher termwill avail you any thing?" Sir Giles cried scornfully. "I set it aside at once."
"Your pardon, Sir Giles; you will do no such thing."
"And who will hinder me?You, my lord?"
"Even I, Sir Giles. Proceed at your peril."
The young nobleman's assurance staggered his opponent.
"He must have some one to uphold him, or he would not be thus confident," he thought. "Whose was the voice I heard? It sounded likeNo matter! 'Tis needful to be cautious."
"You do not, then, hold yourself bound by the acts of your partner, Sir Giles?" Lord Roos said.
"I deny this to be his act," the knight replied.
"Better question him at once on the subject," Lord Roos said. "Set him free, Cyprien."
The Gascon did as he was bidden, and with the aid of his fellow drawers, helped Sir Francis from the table. To the surprise of the company, the knight then managed to stagger forward unassisted, and would have embraced Sir Giles, if the latter had not thrust him off in disgust, with some violence.