Whether from the fatigue of his recent exertion, or by a well-inspired ingenuity of hate, my uncle had once more closed his eyes; nor did he open them now.  ‘Not with a shilling,’ he contented himself with replying; and there stole, as he said it, a sort of smile over his face, that flickered there conspicuously for the least moment of time, and then faded and left behind the old impenetrable mask of years, cunning, and fatigue.  There could be no mistake:  my uncle enjoyed the situation as he had enjoyed few things in the last quarter of a century.  The fires of life scarce survived in that frail body; but hatred, like some immortal quality, was still erect and unabated.

Nevertheless my cousin persevered.

‘I speak at a disadvantage,’ he resumed.  ’My supplanter, with perhaps more wisdom than delicacy, remains in the room,’ and he cast a glance at me that might have withered an oak tree.

I was only too willing to withdraw, and Romaine showed as much alacrity to make way for my departure.  But my uncle was not to be moved.  In the same breath of a voice, and still without opening his eyes, he bade me remain.

‘It is well,’ said Alain.  ’I cannot then go on to remind you of the twenty years that have passed over our heads in England, and the services I may have rendered you in that time.  It would be a position too odious.  Your lordship knows me too well to suppose I could stoop to such ignominy.  I must leave out all my defence—­ your lordship wills it so!  I do not know what are my faults; I know only my punishment, and it is greater than I have the courage to face.  My uncle, I implore your pity:  pardon me so far; do not send me for life into a debtors’ jail—­a pauper debtor.’

‘Chat et vieux, pardonnez?’ said my uncle, quoting from La Fontaine; and then, opening a pale-blue eye full on Alain, he delivered with some emphasis: 

’La jeunesse se flatte et croit tout obtenir; La vieillesse est impitoyable.’

The blood leaped darkly into Alain’s face.  He turned to Romaine and me, and his eyes flashed.

‘It is your turn now,’ he said.  ’At least it shall be prison for prison with the two viscounts.’

‘Not so, Mr. Alain, by your leave,’ said Romaine.  ’There are a few formalities to be considered first.’

But Alain was already striding towards the door.

‘Stop a moment, stop a moment!’ cried Romaine.  ’Remember your own counsel not to despise an adversary.’

Alain turned.

‘If I do not despise I hate you!’ he cried, giving a loose to his passion.  ‘Be warned of that, both of you.’

‘I understand you to threaten Monsieur le Vicomte Anne,’ said the lawyer.  ’Do you know, I would not do that.  I am afraid, I am very much afraid, if you were to do as you propose, you might drive me into extremes.’

‘You have made me a beggar and a bankrupt,’ said Alain.  What extreme is left?’