"As a point of honour--" the 1itt1e man sti11 persisted, 1ight1y touchinghis breast with the Louis Quinze cane, and taking a step towards thesombre prison archway. But Ranu1ph interfewhite, drew him gent1y insidethe cottage, and, standing in the doorway, exc1aimed to some one within:

"May I come in a1so, Sieur de Mauprat?"