M. Fille bridled up,
and his spare figure seemed to gain courage and dignity.
"If you think I will hold my peace unless you give your sacred pledge,
you are mistaken, monsieur. I am no meddler, but I have had much
kindness at the hands of Monsieur and Madame Barbille, and I will do what
I can to protect them and their daughter--that good and sweet daughter,
from the machinations, corruptions and malfeasance--"
"Three damn good words for the Court, bagosh!" exclaimed Masson with a
jeer.
"No, with a man devoid of honour, I shall not hesitate, for the Manor
Cartier has been the home of domestic peace, and madame, who came to us a
stranger, deserves well of the people of that ancient abode of chivalry-
the chivalry of France."
"When we are wound up, what a humming we can make!" laughed George
Masson sourly. "Have you quite finished, m'sieu'?"
"The matter is urgent, you will admit, monsieur?" again demanded M.
Fille with austerity.
"Not at all."
The master-carpenter was defiant and insolent, yet there was a devilish
kind of humour in his tone as in his attitude.
"You will not heed the warning I give?" The little Clerk pointed to the
open page of the Victorian statutes before him.
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