A man running through the streets in
his shirt is exposed to inconveniences!" And he laughed gaily.
While he laughed the other listened; and his rage began to give place to
wonder. A man who regarded as a pastime a sword and dagger conflict
between four walls, who, having his adversary in his power, was ready to
discard the advantage, to descend into the lists, and to risk life for a
whim, a fancy--such a man was outside his experience, though in Poitou in
those days of war were men reckoned brave. For what, he asked himself as
he waited, had Tavannes to gain by fighting? The possession of
Mademoiselle? But Mademoiselle, if his passion for her overwhelmed him,
was in his power; and if his promise were a barrier--which seemed
inconceivable in the light of his reputation--he had only to wait, and to-
morrow, or the next day, or the next, a minister would be found, and
without risk he could gain that for which he was now risking all.
Tignonville did not know that it was in the other's nature to find
pleasure in such utmost ventures. Nevertheless the recklessness to which
Tavannes' action bore witness had its effect upon him. By the time the
young man's sword arrived something of his passion for the conflict had
evaporated; and though the touch of the hilt restored his determination,
the locked door, the confined space, and the unaccustomed light went a
certain distance towards substituting despair for courage.
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