Colonel
Barthelmy also, although he bowed with elaborate courtesy before the
baroness, cast upon her a glance that was full of insulting scorn.
The situation had changed so rapidly--as when a sudden flash of
lightning illumines the darkness of night; and like the electric flash a
light sped into Vavel's heart and illumined it with a delicious, a
heavenly warmth that made it throb madly. But only for an instant. Then
he realized that this woman who had dared everything for his sake had
been insulted by the glance of scorn and derision.
He had now lost all control of himself. He snatched a pistol from his
pocket, directed the muzzle toward Colonel Barthelmy's sneering face,
and said in a voice that quivered with savage fury:
"I demand that you beg this lady's pardon."
"You do?" coolly returned the colonel, still smiling, and gazing calmly
into the muzzle of the pistol.
"Yes--or I will blow out your brains!"
The two officers accompanying the colonel drew their swords. The
baroness uttered a cry of terror, and flung herself on Vavel's breast.
"I presume you will allow me to inquire, first, what relation this lady
bears to you?"
Colonel Barthelmy asked the question in measured tones; and without an
instant's hesitation came Count Vavel's reply:
"The lady is my betrothed wife.
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