"The bullet grazed my hand;
see, here is the mark. Look!" She did look, and gave a little scream;
but recovering herself, said she wished it had gone through his heart.
"Why prolong this painful interview?" said she; "the soldier told us
all."
"I doubt that," said Camille. "Did he tell you that under the table I
was chained tight down to the chair I sat in? Did he tell you that my
hand was fastened to a drinking-horn, and my elbow to the table, and two
fellows sitting opposite me with pistols quietly covering me, ready to
draw the trigger if I should utter a cry? Did he tell you that I would
have uttered that cry and died at that table but for one thing, I had
promised her to live?"
"Not he; he told me nothing so incredible. Besides, what became of you
all these years? You are a double traitor, to your country and to her."
Camille literally gasped for breath. "You are a most cruel young lady
to insult me so," said he, and scalding tears forced themselves from his
eyes.
Rose eyed him with merciless scorn.
He fought manfully against this weakness, with which his wound and his
fatigue had something to do, as well as Rose's bitter words; and after
a gallant struggle he returned her her haughty stare, and addressed her
thus: "Mademoiselle, I feel myself blush, but it is for you I blush, not
for myself.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229