"
He halted, drew himself up, and, with a magnificent gesture: "I am Armand
de Malpertuis, lieutenant of his Majesty's guards," he announced, "and I
shall be grateful if you will do me the honour of taking a turn with me,
outside."
"I am flattered beyond measure, M. Malappris--"
"Mal-per-tuis," he corrected furiously.
"Malpertuis," I echoed. "I am honoured beyond words, but I do not wish to
take a turn."
"Mille diables, sir! Don't you understand? We must fight."
"Must we, indeed? Again I am honoured; but, Monsieur, I don't fight
sparrows."
"Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" cried St. Auban, thrusting himself between us.
"Malpertuis, have the goodness to wait until one affair is concluded before
you create a second one. Now, M. de Luynes, will you tell me whether M. de
Mancini is here or not?"
"What if he should be?"
"You will be wise to withdraw--we shall be three to two."
"Three to two! Surely, Marquis, your reckoning is at fault. You cannot
count the Vicomte there as one; his knees are knocking together; at best he
is but a woman in man's clothes. As for your other friend, unless his
height misleads me, he is but a boy.
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