"Do you also imply by this evasive answer that you will abandon certain

plots with her mother, which I might describe in terms that would not

please you?"

"Corbleu! I should be too heavily handicapped in such a game, you must

admit. Nor do I think that the good lady would be of much service to me,

from what I know of her. Moreover," he added, "you have made me your

confidences, as a friend, and, late though they arrive, I shall feel

bound by them henceforth, if only on the ground of the mutual

consideration, which, in grave circumstances, relations owe to each

other."

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The idea, then, occurred to me of provoking him in another way; but I

clearly realised that, as he was playing such a perfidious part, it

would be dangerous for me to commit this imprudence.

"Come, my dear Daniel," I said, as I rose from my chair, "at any rate, I

can see that you have a very good-natured disposition."

"Of course I have," he replied; "and yet there are people who accuse me

of evil designs."

The most formidable perils are those which you feel darkly conscious of,

without being able to discern either the enemy or the snare. This

interview with Kiusko left almost an impression of terror on my mind.

Knowing him to be as brave as I did, I felt convinced that his

insensibility to my insults could only be due to the calculated calm of

an implacable will, which was pursuing its object, whether of love, of

vengeance, or of hatred, with all the energy of desperation.

Notwithstanding the humiliations he had undergone, I made sure that he

had by no means given up the game. He meant to have Kondjé-Gul, even if

he had to capture her forcibly, and to carry her off as his prey. When I

considered his sinister calm, which seemed to be abiding its

opportunity, I wondered whether we were not already threatened by some

secret machinations on his part.

Still I was not the man to be overcome by childish panics; so I soon got

over this transitory feeling of alarm. I knew that after all we were so

unequally matched, that I need not seriously fear his success. However

determined Kiusko might be not to abandon the cowardly rôle he had

assumed, I felt sure that an open affront at the club would compel him

to fight.

Feeling reassured by this consideration, I decided to be guided in my

action by the result of the interview which I was going to have with

Kondjé-Gul's mother. It was necessary for me to commence by putting a

stop to the foolish proceedings of this woman, who was perhaps acting

unintentionally as Kiusko's accomplice in schemes the object of which

she could not foresee. It was eleven o'clock, an hour at which I knew I

should find her alone, while Kondjé-Gul was taking her lessons: I went

accordingly to Téral House.




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