"You seem to be alone in your opinion," said the Baron with his
vinegary smile.
Captain Blood laughed outright. He had suddenly read the Baron's
mind. His airs and graces and haughtiness had so imposed upon Blood
that it was only now that at last he saw through them, into the
fellow's peddling spirit. Therefore he laughed; there was really
nothing else to do. But his laughter was charged with more anger
even than contempt. He had been deluding himself that he had done
with piracy. The conviction that this French service was free of
any taint of that was the only consideration that had induced him
to accept it. Yet here was this haughty, supercilious gentleman,
who dubbed himself General of the Armies of France, proposing a
plundering, thieving raid which, when stripped of its mean,
transparent mask of legitimate warfare, was revealed as piracy of
the most flagrant.
M. de Rivarol, intrigued by his mirth, scowled upon him
disapprovingly.
"Why do you laugh, monsieur?"
"Because I discover here an irony that is supremely droll.
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