His better judgement
returning held him from a rash and futile act, until Hamilton
spoke again, saying loudly as Alice passed through the door:
"I'll see who's master of this town if I have to shoot every
French hoyden in it!"
"Women and children may well fear you, Colonel Hamilton," said
Beverley. "That young lady is your superior."
"You say that to me, sir!"
"It is the best I could possibly say of you."
"I will send you along with the wench if you do not guard your
language. A prisoner on parole has no license to be a blackguard."
"I return you my parole, sir, I shall no longer regard it as
binding," said Beverley, by a great effort, holding back a blow;
"I will not keep faith with a scoundrel who does not know how to
be decent in the presence of a young girl. You had better have me
arrested and confined. I will escape at the first opportunity and
bring a force here to reckon with you for your villainy. And if
you dare hurt Alice Roussillon I will have you hanged like a dog!"
Hamilton looked at him scornfully, smiling as one who feels safe
in his authority and means to have his own way with his victim.
Naturally he regarded Beverley's words as the merest vaporings of
a helpless and exasperated young man. He saw very clearly that
love was having a hand in the affair, and he chuckled inwardly,
thinking what a fool Beverley was.
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