If these last verbal directions are also to be found
duplicated in the will, very good, they shall be obeyed; if they
not, shall be discredited."
During this speech Traverse stood with kindling eyes and blazing
cheeks, scarcely able to master his indignation; yet, to his credit
be it spoken, he did "rule his own spirit" and replied with dignity
and calmness:
"Colonel Le Noir, my testimony in regard to the last wishes of
Doctor Day can, if necessary, be supported by other evidence--though
I do not believe that any man who did not himself act in habitual
disregard of truth would wantonly question the veracity of another."
"Sir! this to me!" exclaimed Le Noir, growing white with rage and
making a step toward the young man.
"Yes, Colonel Le Noir, that to you! And this in addition; You have
presumed to charge my mother, in connection with myself, with being
an adventuress; with forming dishonorable 'schemes,' and in so
charging her, Colonel Le Noir, you utter a falsehood!"
"Sirrah!" cried Le Noir, striding toward Traverse and raising his
hand over his head, with a fearful oath, "retract your words or--"
Traverse calmly drew himself up, folded his arms and replied coolly:
"I am no brawler, Colonel Le Noir; the pistol and the bowie-knife
are as strange to my hands as abusive epithets and profane language
are to my lips; nevertheless, instead of retracting my words, I
repeat and reiterate them.
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