the
kitchen.

"'Oh, it must be ze dinnaire,' again muttered our old friend opposite;
'certainlee, it must be ze dinnaire.'

"The eggs were brought and soon despatched. The old Frenchman looked
aghast.

"'Pardon me once more, my dear young friend,' he said, 'ess zis your
breakfast or your dinnaire?'

"The Doctor winked at me not to answer, and called out, 'Waiter! two
more cups of tea!'

"The old Frenchman looked at his watch and said despairingly, 'Oh, it
must be ze dinnaire. Dinnaire at half-past eight! _Mon Dieu!_ Howevaire,
I will ask once more. My dear sare, ess zis your breakfast or your
dinnaire?'

"'Sir,' I replied, somewhat petulantly, 'we came here to eat, not to
answer questions!'

"'Yes, sare, but I am a journalist, and am anxious to study ze
characteristics of ze Engleesh; zerefore, I ask, ess zis your breakfast
or your dinnaire?'

"'Bring more toast, waiter,' said the Doctor.

"'More tost! Ah, it ess ze dinnaire--must be ze dinnaire,' mumbled the
old Frenchman.

"The toast and tea disposed of, we rose and paid our bill. We were about
to leave the restaurant, when the old Frenchman quitted the table, as if
for the purpose of having a parting shot at us. Just as we were stepping
into the street, he tapped me on the shoulder, and making a polite bow,
said, 'Sare, if you please, was zat your breakfast or your dinnaire?'

"This seemed too much for human nature to bear, and without thinking
exactly what I was about, I threw my glove into his face.

"'Sare, what you mean? An insult?'

"'Yes,' said the Doctor, 'and another, if you like. We have stood your
impertinence for the last half-hour. You are no gentleman.'

"'Sare? No gentleman? Zare is my card!'

"'And there is mine,' said the Doctor.

"'One at a time, my friends,' coolly replied the old man. 'My business
is wiz zis young gentleman first. He has struck me wiz his glove! He
must fight.'

"'Agreed,' said the Doctor. 'Send your friend to me. I shall be happy to
assist this young gentleman, and to fight you myself afterwards.'

"'One moment, gentlemen. My friend, Colonel Monier, now at yonder table,
will confer wiz you;' and the old fellow called to his friend.

"In a few moments arrangements were perfected for a meeting between the
Frenchman and myself the next morning at daylight, at a small clump of
trees a few miles from town. Weapons, pistols; distance, fifteen paces.

"'Don't be alarmed, Dan,' said the Doctor, as we were going