Oh, I answered him--not in words. I threw my hat in his face."
"That was a passing eloquent reply!"
"So eloquent that it left him speechless with amazement. He thought to
bully with impunity, and see me slink into hiding like a whipped dog,
terrified by his blustering tongue and dangerous reputation. But there!"
he broke off, "a meeting has been arranged for four o'clock at St.
Germain."
"A meeting!" I exclaimed.
"What else? Do you think the affront left any alternative?"
"But--"
"Yes, yes, I know," he interrupted, tossing his head. "I am going to be
killed. Verville has sworn that there shall be one less of the Italian
brood. That is why I have come to you, Luynes--to ask you to be my second.
I don't deserve it, perhaps. In my folly last night I did you an ill turn.
I unwittingly caused you to be stripped of your commission. But if I were
on my death-bed now, and begged a favour of you, you would not refuse it.
And what difference is there 'twixt me and one who is on his death-bed? Am
I not about to die?"
"Peste! I hope not," I made answer with more lightness than I felt.
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