"You in prison--the ship--the villainous crew!" repeated the Marquis. "What is it that you say?"
"Come, Marquis, your protests are useless," Dan interrupted. "I know of the conspiracy in which you are engaged, of your deceit and trickery here, of your part in my poor sister's disappearance. You know that Madame de la Fontaine has told me much. Do you expect me to meet you as though nothing had happened?"
"But, _mon cher, monsieur_," continued the Marquis, "if it is that you have been told anything by Madame de la Fontaine, my so good friend, the bright angel of an old age too-cruelly shattered by misfortune, you well know how innocent are my designs, how sincere my efforts for your foster-sister, for her who is my niece."
"Marquis, I do not understand all that has taken place. I may say further that I do not care to discuss the situation with you until I have talked with my sister and Mr. Pembroke."
"Ah! then Eloise--then Mademoiselle Nancy, is returned?" exclaimed the old gentleman.
"I believe so. But I have not seen her. I must decline, Marquis, to continue this conversation. I must first learn what has taken place in my absence. When Tom returns--he is out just now--I am perfectly willing to talk matters over with you and him together."
The Marquis's eyes flashed. "But, Monsieur," he protested, "you must understand that I cannot submit to meet with Monsieur Pembroke again. A Marquis de Boisdhyver does not twice put himself in the position to be insulted with impunity."
"I should hardly imagine," Dan replied, "that it would be more difficult for you to meet Pembroke again than it has been difficult for me to meet you."
"How--me?--_je ne comprends pas_. But I have been insulted, imprisoned, I have suffered much that is terrible."
"I found myself in an identical situation," said Dan.
"But, monsieur, _un moment_" protested the old gentleman, as Dan made as if to leave the room, "give me the time to explain to you this misunderstanding.--"
"No, Marquis. I will not talk until I have seen Tom."
The black eyes of Monsieur de Boisdhyver gleamed unpleasantly. "I have said to you, Monsieur Frost, that I refuse to meet Monsieur Tom Pembroke once more. It would be intolerable. _Impossible, absolutment_! I must insist that you will be kind enough to facilitate my departure at once."