Chauvelin's eyes hardened and his already white hand became even whiter as he clenched the sword that he had grabbed from the floor as they had left the room. Turning, he pulled a table in front of the mirror and placed his tail on it so that he could see the end in the glass. He raised the sword...

And a stronger hand gripped his wrist and checked the blow he was about to deliver. His concentration broken, the Frenchman looked up in surprise to see Sir Percy's face looking down at him. Turning slightly, he saw Tony, Andrew, Hastings, and Armand all paused in various stages of advancement across the room. All four had detected his purpose, but their leader moved the fastest. Out of the corner of his eye, Chauvelin saw Marguerite standing by the door with her hands cupped over her mouth. His narrow face creased into a frown. He had completely forgotten about his audience in his examination and focus on his new limbs. Turning, he once again faced the man who had first intruded on the situation.

"Just what in the seven hells do you think you are doing, sir?" Chauvelin said coldly to the Englishman. At the same time, he wrenched his arm from Percy's grasp and stood with the sword dangling by his side. Although smaller in stature, his anger and indignation seemed to make him grow taller as he addressed the six-foot some blonde.

"Merely keeping you from doing something rash," was the cool response. Sir Percy seemed to have relaxed, but one could see that if the Frenchman did anything "rash," he would immediately intercede.

"Tu cretin bête!" (You stupid cretin!) Chauvelin gritted out between his clenched teeth. "Who gave you the permission to decide what is rash and what is not! My actions are perfectly acceptable!" Anger radiated from the Frenchman and he faced off against Percy. His face flushed and he trembled in his rage. Percy, on the other hand, was the perfect image of cool reason as he regarded the smaller man through his looking glass.

"You cannot seriously think that chopping your tail off in front of a lady is acceptable? You do not think that it is a bit rash as you are clearly overcome with-"

"Non!" Chauvelin interrupted. "I will not hear anymore! I am a free Frenchman and am at my liberty to do what I wish! You have no right to control me! Ever since you set foot on this country, you have caused nothing but trouble for me! Je suis si fâché ! Je ne peux pas parler ou peux penser pour la colère ! Je vous déteste, comprenez-vous? You have ruined my life! You... you...AAAAAAGGH! Enfers!" (I am so angry! I cannot think or speak for anger! I hate you, do you understand?... Hells!)

Sir Percy stood silently throughout this tirade, although his League members stood with their mouths hanging open at the fury that the little Frenchman displayed. Their knowledge of French gave them a basic understanding of what Chauvelin was saying and his actions filled in the rest. They watched Chauvelin pace back and forth as he could no longer find the words necessary to convey his anger. Suddenly, he turned and glared daggers at the Englishman who still stood silent and unruffled. Grasping his sword more firmly, he lunged towards Percy with the point aimed straight at the Englishman's heart...

But Percy was quicker. He darted to the side as Chauvelin flew forward and grasped the little man's wrist. Breaking it with almost no effort, he managed to take the sword as the Frenchman's hand went limp. At the same time, he placed a strong blow to the back of the head causing Chauvelin to slump forward, unconscious.

Before the four other League members could step forward, the task was finished and Percy was placing the limp form on the floor and straightening up.

"Foulkes, Hastings," he said to two of the men. "Tell the League to ready themselves for departure and to get onto the Daydream." The two addressed men nodded and went to their chief's bidding. Percy turned to the other two. "Armand, Tony. Please carry Monsieur Chauvelin downstairs and place him in his carriage. Wait for me there." Both came forward and lifted their burden from the floor and began their descent towards the stairs. Now there were only two left in the room. The Englishman walked to the door where his faithful wife had been waiting the entire time. He bowed formally and offered her his arm. "My lady. Shall we?" he asked with a merry twinkle in his eye. Marguerite curtsied perfectly, and took his arm. But when they reached the top of the stairs, she stopped him.

"Percy," she whispered. He looked down at her curiously, waiting for her to go on. "I was so scared..." But the tears rose up and choked her and she buried her face in her husband's coat. Gently, he placed his hands under her chin and raised her head so he could stare into her eyes.

"La, m'dear," he murmured as he kissed her tears away. "Death could not keep me from your ladyship. You are too dear to me." But no more words could come for him either and he captured her mouth, making words no longer necessary.

A slight cough broke their moment as Andrew returned to the bottom of the stairs. He looked slightly ashamed at witnessing such a tender moment. "Er... Percy... ahem... sorry, but the League is ready." The chief looked at his wife, then at his right-hand man. "Well," he said, "let us leave then. I must take care of one piece of business first, however..."

Outside, he moved over to the black carriage that had brought Citizen Chauvelin and himself to the château. "Is he still unconscious?" he inquired of Armand and Tony. They nodded their reply as Percy looked in. The deputy of the Republic was lain across the seat in such a way that would keep him from falling during the trip down to the waiting guards. Satisfied, he looked up at the driver. "Return him to the guards," he instructed, handing the driver a bag of gold, "and say nothing."

The man tipped his hat and whipped the horses up down towards the guards as a response...

On board the Daydream, bound for England, Marguerite stood in her husband's arms as they looked out across the water. "Percy," she murmured.

"Hmm?" was the only response.

"What do you think will happen to Chauvelin?"

Her husband only laughed. "I do not know, my dear. And frankly, I don't really care anymore."

Hello! It's me! The story isn't over yet, don't worry! One more chapter! I hope everyone has enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will be leaving to go out of the country in little over a week, so I am hoping to get the final chapter posted within that amount of time. But first, I have to get through finals. To anyone else who will be taking them, Good Luck! If chapter 5 isn't up by Wednesday the 15, then it won't be posted until July. But I can tell you that reviews will greatly speed up the process! nudge nudge hint hint