A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

“1 EXACT THE PRICE OF BLOOD.” 165 a glimpse of Gabrielle, as she staggered half-fainting from behind the buttress. But, in an instant, a man, with a swift, leopard-like bound, dashed forward and caught her. It was Pharos, and he made a quick ges- ture of assurance to Mirza, as he half lec, half carried Mademoiselle de Vrissac back into the shadow. All this happened so quickly that Goujon, though startled by the cry, had scarcely time to turn. He caught only a glimpse of something white, when Mirza grasped him with both hands and whirled him round like a top. “You miserable, cowardly, bragging, good-for-noth- ing ruffian!” she exclaimed, breathlessly, as she twisted and twirled him by the collar. “If one hair of the chevalier’s head is injured, there shall be as many holes in your wine-cask of a body as there are knives in the girdles of the men and women, especially the women, of my tribe.” “You're cho—cho—choking me!” gasped Goujon. “Which would be cheating an honest rope-maker,” retorted Mirza, scornfully, as she gave him a final twirl and flung him from her with all her strength. The sergeant fell heavily to the ground, and at once emitted a series of ear-splitting shrieks. The house was now alarmed. Lights flitted from window to window. In another moment, the doors were flung open, and the duchess appeared, surrounded by half a dozen retainers. Mirza had fled, but the light of the blazing flambeaux fell upon the pitiful figure of the sergeant, who had scrambled to his feet, and, with many a resounding oath, was brushing the dust from his clothes, The duchess advanced proudly and fearlessly, fol- lowed by her servants. Gomichbooks (E(@)