You, sir, without
belonging to either, stand alone, an enemy to both. Your attitude is
preposterous!"
"Nay, sir, not alone. There is Andrea de Mancini. The boy is my only
friend in a world of enemies. I am growing fond of him, Monsieur, and I
will stand by him, while my arm can wield a sword, in all that may advance
his fortunes and his happiness. That, Monsieur, is my last word."
"Do not forget, M. de Luynes," he said--his suaveness all departed of a
sudden, and his tone full of menace and acidity--"do not forget that when a
wall may not be scaled it may be broken through."
"Aye, Monsieur, but many of those who break through stand in danger of
being crushed by the falling stones," I answered, entering into the spirit
of his allegory.
"There are many ways of striking," he said.
"And many ways of being struck," I retorted with a sneer.
Our words grew sinister, our eyes waxed fiery, and more might have followed
had not the door leading to the staircase opened at that moment to admit
Andrea himself. He came, elegant in dress and figure, with a smile upon
his handsome young face, whose noble features gave the lie to St.
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