“Mademoiselle, our supper is getting cold while we wait. Bid this old
man be silent, I implore you, lest injury befall him. You have heard
of me, I doubt not, and will know how little I am disposed to take
‘no’ for my answer when I have set my mind upon a ‘yes.’ ‘La Force,’
they call me, mademoiselle, as I shall call you my friend presently.”
He bowed again, and seeing that Antonio still hesitated, he put his
hand roughly upon the physician’s collar and dragged him from the
coach. Corinne, on her part, convinced that further resistance was
useless, stepped lightly from the carriage and took the robber’s arm.
“Monsieur,” she said, “I am trusting to you as to one of my own
kinsmen. But I warn you that you will find me a dangerous guest.”
The robber laughed.
“Mademoiselle,” said he, “my own daughter shall not win greater
respect. You have but to command and I obey.”
“In that case,” said she, “I beg you permit my lacqueys to accompany
me, and to bring the coach to your house, so that when we have supped
I can continue my journey.”