so, I was a dolt, a little blockhead; I swear to marry for myself and when I please, or never if I like.  That lady is all things charming and gentle, and, in truth, she is—­very much attach’ to me—­why should I not say it?  I am so proud of it.  She is very faithful and forgiving and sweet; she would be the same, I think, if I—­were even—­a lackey.  But I?  I was a dolt, a little unsensible brute; I did not value such thing’ then; I was too yo’ng, las’ June.  So I say to my cousin, ‘No, I make my own choosing!’ ’Little fool,’ he answer, ‘she is the one for you.  Am I not wiser than you?’ And he was very angry, and, as he has influence in France, word come’ that he will get me put in Vincennes, so I mus’ run away quick till his anger is gone.  My good frien’ Mirepoix is jus’ leaving for London; he take’ many risk’ for my sake; his hairdresser die before he start’, so I travel as that poor barber.  But my cousin is a man to be afraid of when he is angry, even in England, and I mus’ not get my Mirepoix in trouble.  I mus’ not be discover’ till my cousin is ready to laugh about it all and make it a joke.  And there may be spies; so I change my name again, and come to Bath to amuse my retreat with a little gaming—­I am always fond of that.  But three day’ ago M. le Marquis send me a courier to say that my brother, who know where I had run away, is come from France to say that my cousin is appease’; he need me for his little theatre, the play cannot go on.  I do not need to espouse mademoiselle.  All shall be forgiven if I return, and my brother and M. de Mirepoix will meet me in Bath to felicitate.

“There is one more thing to say, that is all.  I have said I learn’ a secret, and use it to make a man introduce me if I will not tell.  He has absolve’ me of that promise.  My frien’s, I had not the wish to ruin that man.  I was not receive’; Meestaire Nash had reboff me; I had no other way excep’ to use this fellow.  So I say, ’Take me to Lady Malbourne’s ball as “Chateaurien."’ I throw off my wig, and shave, and behol’, I am M. le Duc de Castle Nowhere.  Ha, ha!  You see?”

The young man’s manner suddenly changed.  He became haughty, menacing.  He stretched out his arm, and pointed at Winterset.  “Now I am no ‘Beaucaire,’ messieurs.  I am a French gentleman.  The man who introduce’ me at the price of his honor, and then betray’ me to redeem it, is that coward, that card-cheat there!”

Winterset made a horrible effort to laugh.  The gentlemen who surrounded him fell away as from pestilence.  “A French gentleman!” he sneered savagely, and yet fearfully.  “I don’t know who you are.  Hide behind as many toys and ribbons as you like; I’ll know the name of the man who dares bring such a charge!”