'
The gentlemen laughed, the Abbe the loudest, and told me I was quite
welcome; such victories were esteemed honourable.
'Yes,' I said, 'for a short time, among cowards and rogues.'
Armand howled at the word cowards.
'Cowards, yes,' I said, 'who must needs get a company of soldiers to
overcome one woman.'
I saw a good long scratch on Lamont's face just then, and I flattered
myself that it was due to Nan's nails. They all beset me, Lamont at
my feet, pleading the force of his passion, entreating with all the
exaggeration of the current language; the Abbe arguing about the
splendid position I should secure for my son and myself, and the way
I should be overthrown if I held out against the Prince; d'Aubepine
raging and threatening. I had lost myself already, by my absence and
goings on, the estate; the Prince had but to speak the word, and I
should be in the Bastille.
'Let him,' I said.
'It is of no use to dally with her,' cried Armand. 'I will hold her
while the rite is performed.'
I looked at him. I was quite as tall as he, and, I believe, quite as
strong; at any rate he quailed, and called out:
'Have you any spirit, Lamont? Here, one of you fellows, come and
help to hold her.'
'At your peril!' I said. 'Gentlemen, I am the widow of your brave
officer, Captain de Bellaise, killed at Freibourg. Will you see this
wrong done?'
'I command you, as your officer--forward!' he said; and though one
wavered, the others stepped forward.
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