"Gerard!" Gabrielle's was a cry of consternation.
"Did you think he would dare to deny it, mademoiselle?" asked the Duke.
"There is no reason for any alarm, Gabrielle. On my honour you need but have patience."
"Honour!" exclaimed the Governor contemptuously.
"Does such a word seem strange to the ears of the Duke de Rochelle?" asked Gerard, quite unmoved as he met the angry look the question drew forth. "What are the charges your lordship brings against me?"
"Those contained in your own letter; the letter which confesses the truth. Do you deny you wrote that letter to M. de Proballe?"
For one moment Gerard hesitated.
"The statements contained in that letter so far as they touch me are absolutely false," he declared emphatically. "That I affirm on my honour, Gabrielle; but for the moment I cannot explain the affair."
"I need no more. I was sure you would repudiate them," she answered exultantly. "I shall stay to hear no more."
"I should prefer you to remain, mademoiselle," said the Duke.
"I crave your lordship's permission to retire. I can hear no more of this attack upon my cousin. I am satisfied. I have his assurance;" and without waiting for any permission to be given, she went into the house.
Gerard was glad to be left to deal with the matter in her absence. He recognized the extreme difficulty of the situation and the utter impossibility of giving a rational explanation without telling the truth about himself; but he was anxious to have some plain speaking with the Governor, and he turned at once to him.
"Your lordship will perhaps see the desirability of explaining this new development to me," he said.
"You are an insolent rascal in all truth," was the fiery
