"
"How so?"
"Because the Marquis is the affronted one."
"Therefore he has a right to choose."
"A right, yes. But that is not enough. The necessity to fight is on his
side. His honour is hurt, not mine; I have whipped him; I am content. Now
let him come to me."
"Assuredly you will not be so ungenerous."
"I do not care about journeying to Reaux to afford him satisfaction."
"Does Monsieur fear anything?"
"Vicomte, you go too far!" I cried, my pride gaining the mastery. "Since
it is asked of me,--I will go."
"M. le Marquis will be grateful to you."
"A fig for his gratitude," I answered, whereupon the Vicomte shrugged his
narrow shoulders, and, his errand done, took his leave of me.
When he was gone I called Michelot, to tell him of the journey I must go
that night, so that he might hold himself in readiness.
"Why--if Monsieur will pardon me," quoth he, "do you go to meet the Marquis
de St. Auban at St. Sulpice des Reaux by night?"
"Precisely what I asked Vilmorin. The Marquis desires it, and--what will
you?--since I am going to kill the man, I can scarce do less than kill him
on a spot of his own choosing.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136