If already I possess so much,
I may look with confidence to win more. I shall prove myself
worthy. I swear to do that. Who that is permitted the privilege
of being near you could do other than seek to render himself
worthy?"
And then before she could add a word, M. de Kercadiou came
blustering through the window, his spectacles on his forehead, his
face inflamed, waving in his hand "The Acts of the Apostles," and
apparently reduced to speechlessness.
Had the Marquis expressed himself aloud he would have been profane.
As it was he bit his lip in vexation at this most inopportune
interruption.
Aline sprang up, alarmed by her uncle's agitation.
"What has happened?"
"Happened?" He found speech at last. "The scoundrel! The
faithless dog! I consented to overlook the past on the clear
condition that he should avoid revolutionary politics in future.
That condition he accepted, and now" - he smacked the news-sheet
furiously - "he has played me false again. Not only has he gone
into politics, once more, but he is actually a member of the
Assembly, and what is worse he has been using his assassin's
skill as a fencing-master, turning himself into a bully-swordsman.
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