Page:A courier of fortune (1904).djvu/185

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A PRISONER
169

house of Malincourt stands for naught in Morvaix. You have foully outraged an innocent and honourable man, and if I have to carry my appeal in person to the King of France, I will have justice done."

"I will see you later, mademoiselle, when your indignation has somewhat spent itself and you can better appreciate what has occurred."

"My indignation will never pass, my lord, until justice has been done."

"Justice will be done, mademoiselle; have no fear on that score. What you have witnessed is but the needful preliminary."

"What I mean is justice according to the laws of France, and not according to the Tyrant of Morvaix," she cried fearlessly.

"In your present mood, I have no more to say;" and with a bow he moved away, leaving Gabrielle free to go where she would.

Remembering the message which had been brought to her and eager to have some one to whom she could pour out the tale of her wrongs and on whose sympathy she could rely, Gabrielle went to the apartments of the Duchess.

The two men watched her go, both moved by widely different feelings. Each had been much disturbed by her outburst.

De Proballe, thinking naturally of himself, was disposed to regret the part he had taken. With the doors of Malincourt shut against him he saw the plans for his own future advancement in danger of collapse. He had meant to climb on Gabrielle's favour with the Duke to greater things. For this reason he had welcomed the change of plan which was to make her the Duke's wife, and had thrown himself readily into the attempts to ruin Gerard in her eyes. But if he was to be deprived of the prestige which the Malincourt influence afforded, he would be