anything
else."

But the vicomte abruptly left his seat. He could not allow this insolent
fellow to spoil an ice for a guest of his. It was for him to take
cognizance of the offence, since it was through him that his friends had
come to the restaurant. He went across to the man and said:

"Sir, you are staring at those ladies in a manner I cannot permit. I must
ask you to desist from your rudeness."

The other replied:

"Let me alone, will you!"

"Take care, sir," said the vicomte between his teeth, "or you will force
me to extreme measures."

The man replied with a single word--a foul word, which could be
heard from one end of the restaurant to the other, and which startled
every one there. All those whose backs were toward the two disputants
turned round; all the others raised their heads; three waiters spun round
on their heels like tops; the two lady cashiers jumped, as if shot, then
turned their bodies simultaneously, like two automata worked by the same
spring.

There was dead silence. Then suddenly a sharp, crisp sound. The vicomte
had slapped his adversary's face. Every one rose to interfere. Cards were
exchanged.

When the vicomte reached home he walked rapidly up and down his room for
some minutes. He was in a state of too great agitation to think
connectedly. One idea alone possessed him: a duel. But this idea aroused
in him as yet no emotion of any kind. He had done what he was bound to
do; he had proved himself to be what he ought to be. He would be talked
about, approved, congratulated. He repeated aloud, speaking as one does
when under the stress of great mental disturbance:

"What a brute of a man!" Then he sat down, and began to reflect. He would
have to find seconds as soon as morning came. Whom should he choose? He
bethought himself of the most influential and best-known men of his
acquaintance. His choice fell at last on the Marquis de la Tour-Noire and
Colonel Bourdin-a nobleman and a soldier. That would be just the thing.
Their names would carry weight in the newspapers. He was thirsty, and
drank three glasses of water, one after another; then he walked up and
down again. If he showed himself brave, determined, prepared to face a
duel in deadly earnest, his adversary would probably draw back and
proffer excuses. He picked up the card he had taken from his pocket and
thrown on a table. He read it again, as he had already read it, first at
a glance in the restaurant, and afterward on the