A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

I22 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. sword shall be at your service; for the present, it is my pleasure to guard an incognito.” During the dispute, Mirza had risen and moved away until she had joined her companions, Pharos having managed to free himself from the grasp of the soldiers, who were too much interested in the quarrel of their superiors to give him much attention. Raoul saw that she was safe for the present at all events. He was about to turn away from the duke, when he felt a hand clutch his cloak and heard Simon Beppa’s voice in his ear, saying in a hoarse whisper: “The Provost’s Guard is at the door! Sheathe your sword,” And, to prove the words, a trumpet blast rang out in the street. “Au revoir, Monsieur le Duc,” said the chevalier, bowing to the young man with cold politeness. “An- other time, you may find me less patient.” And turning partially aside, he was about to return his sword to its scabbard, when De Bassompierre, with a violent ejaculation, sprang forward, “How now, varlet,” he almost screamed in his pas- sion, “do you dare menace me? By the mass, I will have you cudgelled by my lackeys!” As if moved by a steel spring, the chevalier wheeled and faced him. “ Have a care!” he said, in a low, tense tone, that in itself was a warning of coming danger. But the duke was now beside himself with fury. “Of whom?” he demanded, with fiery scorn. “Of one of Navarre’s beggarly troop, doubtless, who has come to Paris to cut a purse as his master would thieve a crown for lack of pay and rations. Be thankful your chastisement is no worse!” (COMME NOS (S(0) Af)