'
'It is very well for us to talk in that way, father,' she answered.
'It is not your picture that hangs in the hall, or your coat-of-arms
that I see upon the wall. We hold the castle and the land, but it is
for the heir of the de Lavals to tell _us_ if he is satisfied with
this.' Her dark scornful eyes were fixed upon me as she waited for my
reply, but her father hastened to intervene.
'This is not a very hospitable tone in which to greet your cousin,' said
he harshly. 'It has so chanced that Louis' heritage has fallen to us,
but it is not for us to remind him of the fact.'
'He needs no reminding,' said she.
'You do me an injustice,' I cried, for the evident and malignant scorn
of this girl galled me to the quick. 'It is true that I cannot forget
that this castle and these grounds belonged to my ancestors--I should be
a clod indeed if I _could_ forget it--but if you think that I harbour
any bitterness, you are mistaken. For my own part, I ask nothing better
than to open up a career for myself with my own sword.'
'And never was there a time when it could be more easily and more
brilliantly done,' cried my uncle.
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