In vain did
I remonstrate with him that already he had drunk overmuch.
"'T is a lie!" he shouted. "May not a gentleman sit upon the floor from
choice?"
To emphasise his protestation he imprudently withdrew his hand from the
chair and struck at the air with his open palm. That gesture cost him his
balance. He staggered, toppled backward, and clutched madly at the
tablecloth as he fell, dragging glasses, bottles, dishes, tapers, and a
score of other things besides, with a deafening crash on to the floor.
Then, as I stood aghast and alarmed, wondering who might have overheard the
thunder of his fall, the fool sat up amidst the ruins, and filled the room
with his shrieks of drunken laughter.
"Silence, boy!" I thundered, springing towards him. "Silence! or we shall
have the whole house about our ears."
And truly were my fears well grounded, for, before I could assist him to
rise, I heard the door behind me open. Apprehensively I turned, and
sickened to see that that which I had dreaded most was come to pass. A
tall, imposing figure in scarlet robes stood erect and scowling on the
threshold, and behind him his valet, Bernouin, bearing a lighted taper.
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