Garnache became impatient.

His position was not being improved by delay.
"Monsieur de Condillac," said he, speaking quickly and yet with an incisiveness of tone that made his words sound deliberate, "I am a desperate man in a desperate position.

Every moment that I tarry here increases my danger and shortens my temper.

If you think to temporize in the hope of gaining an opportunity of turning the tables upon me, you must be mad to dream that I shall permit it.

Monsieur, you will at once order those men to leave the courtyard by that doorway, or I give you my word of honour that I shall run you through as you stand." "That would be to destroy yourself," said Marius with an attempted note of confidence.
"I should be no less destroyed by delay," answered Garnache; and added more sharply, "Give the word, monsieur, or I will make an end." From the movement behind him Marius guessed almost by instinct that Garnache had drawn back for a lunge.