Guerchard. "It's exactly what I wanted you to ask me to do."
M. Gournay-Martin hesitated. Then he handed the coronet to Guerchard, saying with a frank and noble air, "I have every confidence in you, M. Guerchard."
"Thank you," said Guerchard.
"Good-night," said M. Gournay-Martin.
"Good-night, M. Guerchard," said Germaine.
"I think, after all, I'll change my mind and go with you. I'm very short of sleep," said the Duke. "Good-night, M. Guerchard."
"You're never going too, your Grace!" cried Guerchard.
"Why, you don't want me to stay, do you?" said the Duke.
"Yes," said Guerchard slowly.
"I think I would rather go to bed," said the Duke gaily.
"Are you afraid?" said Guerchard, and there was challenge, almost an insolent challenge, in his tone.
There was a pause. The Duke frowned slightly with a reflective air. Then he drew himself up; and said a little haughtily:
"You've certainly found the way to make me stay, M. Guerchard."
"Yes, yes; stay, stay," said M. Gournay-
