“I agree with you that the baron acted wisely,” Kennedy said.  “Had not chance, or Providence, taken me past the house where she was imprisoned, at the very moment when Mademoiselle Pointdexter cried for help, she might, for aught I can say, have remained a captive there for months, or even years.”

“It was Providence, indeed, Monsieur Kennedy.  Providence, not only that she should have cried at that moment, but that her cries should have reached the ears of one so ready and able to save her.  And now, I pray you, call me Philip, and allow me to call you Desmond, as a pledge of our close friendship.”

“With pleasure,” Kennedy replied; and the compact was sealed with another close grasp of the hand.

“It is strange, Desmond, that while the king, who had but little interest in the matter, could present you, as I am told he did, with a diamond ring, the baron and I, who owe you so much, can do nothing to show our gratitude.”

Desmond smiled.

“I can assure you that I need no such tokens,” he said.  “The thanks that I have received, from you both, are infinitely more grateful to me than any amount of rings and jewels.”

“And now, my friend,” Philip de la Vallee went on, “my own burning desire is to go to de Tulle, as soon as I have accompanied the baron and Anne to their home; first, to publicly chastise this villain noble; and then, of course, to fight him.  Naturally, I have said nothing of this to the baron, but I feel, after what has happened, that in you I shall find an adviser, and a sympathizer.”

“I sympathize with you, most heartily, Philip, and in your place should feel the same impulse; and yet, it would not be wise to give way to it.  I say this on the ground that he is a notoriously good swordsman, and that, instead of your taking vengeance upon him, he might kill you.

“I feel that that argument would not have any influence with you personally, but, taking your position with regard to Mademoiselle de Pointdexter, it should have great weight.  You can judge, from what you would have felt yourself, had you been aware of her disappearance, what she would feel, did she hear of your death in this quarrel.  Were you her brother, I should say that you would be right—­nay, that it would be your duty to endeavour to punish the outrage against the honour of your family.  Were you openly betrothed to her, you would again have the right to punish her abductor; but, not being either her brother or her betrothed, neither reason nor public opinion would justify your doing so.  Moreover, did you fight with him and kill him, you would incur the gravest resentment of the king; for, in fact, you would be impugning his justice, which has considered banishment from court to be a sufficient punishment for his offence.  Not only was he a favourite of the king’s, but he belongs, I understand, to a powerful family; who would, you may be sure, use their influence with the king to bring about your punishment, for the breach of the decree against duelling, and you would be fortunate if you escaped a long imprisonment.”