I regret that I cannot relieve you of the presence of these men, but I do not feel I should be justified in accepting your _parole_.' "The President did not seem to be angered at this insult.
"'I have not offered it,' he said simply.

'It is better you should take your own measures.

Need I detain you, colonel ?' "The colonel did not answer him, but turned to me and said: "'Signorina Nugent, we wait only for you, and time is precious.' "'I will follow you in a moment,' I said, with my head still among the cushions.
"'No, come now,' he commanded.
"Looking up, I saw a smile on the President's face.

As I rose reluctantly, he also got up from the chair into which he had flung himself, and stopped me with a gesture.

I was terribly afraid that he was going to say something hard to me, but his voice only expressed a sort of amused pity.
"'The money, was it, signorina ?' he said.