As a matter
of fact he was whispering to himself, "You shall rue this, my
gentleman!" But aloud he asked the somewhat puzzling question:
"Is that all, monsieur?"
"Why, yes," answered M. de la Pailletine, "except that you need have
no doubt I shall treat you with the respect which is your due, or
rather--"
"Pray proceed."
"--Or rather, with the respect which his Majesty thinks is your due."
"And which you do not."
"Excuse me, sir; I do not venture to set up my opinion against that
of King Lewis."
"Yes, yes, of course; but, monsieur, I was trying to get at your own
feelings. You do not think that a man who enlists against his own
country, even on the side of his rightful King, can be entitled to
any respect?"
"Excuse me--" began the Commodore; but Captain Salt interrupted with
a gentle wave of the hand.
"Tut, tut, my dear sir! Pray do not imagine that I resent this
expression of your feelings. On the contrary, I am grateful to you
for treating me so frankly. I have consolations. Your sovereign"--
he pointed to the letter which M. de la Pailletine was folding up and
placing in his breast-pocket--"has a more intelligent sense of my
merits and my honour."
"Doubtless, monsieur," the Commodore answered; "but permit me to
suggest that the discussion of these matters is out of place on deck.
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