Moths by Ouida — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

MOTHS. 291 was the first time they had met since she had courtseyed to him her good-night. He barred her way into the entrance-chamber, _ **Madame, the horse: ave ready,” he said, curtly; ‘* goin and put on your sables.” She lifted her eyes, and a great contempt spoke in them; with her lips she was silent. ‘*Do you hear me?’ he repeated. **Go in and put.on your sables; I am waiting to drive with you.” ‘‘Along the Promenade des Anglais?’ she said, very calmly. ‘On the Promenade des Anglais,” repeated Zouroff. ‘*‘ Do you need twice telling?” ‘‘Though you tell me a hundred times, I will not drive there.” He swore a great oath. ‘‘T told you what you were todo last night. Last night you chose to have me insulted by an opera singer; do you suppose that changed my resolve? When I saya thing, itisdone. Goin and put on your sables,” ¢ Lowa never put them on again; and I will not drive with ou! Rage held him speechless for a moment. Then he swore a great oath. — ‘‘Go in and put on your sables, or I will teach you howa Russian can punish rebellion. You insulted me by the mouthof an opera-singer, who had your orders, no doubt, what to sing, You shall eat dust to-day; that I swear.” Vere made a little gesture of disdain. ‘‘Do you think you can terrify me?” she said tranquilly. ‘‘ We had better not begin to measure insults. My account against you is too heavy to be evenly balanced on that score.” The calmness of her tone and of her attitude lashed him to fury. 2) By God! I will beat you as my father did his serfs!” he mut tered, savagely, as he seized her by the arm. ‘You can do so if you choose. The Tsar has not enfranchised me. But make me drive as you say, where you say—that is be- yond your power.” She stood facing him on the terrace, the angry sea and clouded sky beyond her. Her simple dignity of attitude impressed him for an instant with shame and with respect; but his soul was set on enforcing his command. She had had-him humiliated by the mouth of a singer; and he was resolved to avenge the humiliation; and, having said this thing, though he was ashamed of it, he would not yield or change. ie He pulled her towards him by both hands, and made her stand before him. _ “You shall learn all that my power means, madame, Jam our master; do you deny me obedience?” ‘‘Tn things that are right, no.” | “Right—wrong! What imbecile’s words are those? 1 bid you do what I choose. You insulted me by your singer’s mouth last nicht; I will make you eat dust to-day.” ere looked him full in the face. | ‘¢¥ gaid we had better not measure insults; Ihave had too i) eomieboo < CC 0)