Part 7 (2/2)
Her voice choked in a sob, and she sank into a chair, her face buried in her hands My father looked at her, and took a pinch of snuff
”Indeed,” he said, ”I aame, Mademoiselle
We each have our little square on the chess board I regret that o I was a pawn, paid by your family Then it seemed to me expedient to do as you dictated--to take you out of France to safety, to deliver both you and a certain paper to your brother's care But that was a while ago I as seem different--and rest assured, Made as you obey n complacency, and once more busied himself with his nails I took a step toward hiratulations
”So you leave us, my son,” he said briskly ”I fear you will meet with trouble before you pass the lane But you seely able to look out for yourself Brutus will help you to saddle”
”You are ”
And I bowed to Mademoiselle, who had started at the sound ofat me with a tear-stained face
”I have decided to stay,” I cried, ”If Mademoiselle will perarded us carefully, as though balancing possibilities
”Not leaving!” Whetheror otheras iation, and I smiled at him in a manner I hoped resembled his
”I fear youto stay until you have disposed of this paper as Made to do so, I shall take pleasure in doing it myself”
My father rubbed his hands, and then tapped ht this little scene would fetch you,” he cried
”Excellent, ht stay on”
”And now, sir,” I said, ”the paper, if you please”
”What!” exclaiesture of astonish, to be sure!”
”At least I aravely, when a sudden change in his expression stopped me
”Wait,” he said coldly ”Look before you leap, my son Allow me toso foolish In the first place, let us take myself I am older than you, it is true, but years and excitement have not entirely weakened me I have been present in ht with Barbary pirates and Chinese junks, and with assorted Christians The fact that I aht proves I am usually successful Even if I were alone, I doubt if you could take the paper froet another matter--”
He turned and pointed to Brutus in the doorway Brutus grinned back and nodded violently, his eyes rolling in pleased anticipation
”Eight years ago,” allows at Jaratitude I have seen Brutus only last er men than you, my son I fancy the document is safe in my pocket, quite safe”
He half smiled, and took another pinch of snuff
”But let us indulge in the iet the paper Let us examine the paper itself”
And slowly he drew it froht
”Come, Henry, draw up a chair, and let us be sensible Another bottle of Madeira, Brutus And now, tell me, what do you know of French politics?”
”Sir,” I objected, ”it see the point What have politics to do with you and me?”