awing himself up to his
full height.

"No, no, it ain't; no, upon my soul, I 'm quite serious. I never was less
disposed for a jest in my life."

"You could never have selected a less opportune moment for one, sir,"
rejoined the other, gravely. "Am I to conclude, sir," resumed he, after
a second's interval, "that we have no difference of opinion on this
affair?"

"None whatever. I agree with you in everything you have s-said, and
everything you in-intend to say."

"Your friend will then apologize?" resumed the Colonel.

"He shall,--he must."

"Simply expressing his regret that an unguarded action should have
occasioned a misconception, and that in lifting his arm he neither
intended the gesture as a menace nor an insult. Is n't that your
meaning?"

"Just so; and that if he _had_ struck he would n't have hurt him."

"Feu d'enfer! sir, what _are_ you saying? or do you mean this for a
mockery of us?" screamed the Colonel, in a fit of passion.

"You terrify me so," cried Purvis; "You are so impeimpe-impetuous,
I don't know what I 'm saying."

The Frenchman measured him with a glance of strange meaning. It was
evident that such a character was somewhat new to him, and it required
all his skill and acuteness to comprehend it "Very well, sir," said
he, at last, "I leave the details entirely to yourself; speak to your
friend, arrange the matter between you, and let us finish the affair as
speedily as may be."

"What is all this delay about?" muttered Norwood, angrily, as the
other joined him; "is there any difficulty in stepping twelve or twenty
paces?"

"None; but we've hit upon a b-better plan, and you've only to say that
you 're sorry for it all, that you did n't m-mean anything, and that you
never did b-b-beat a Frenchman, nor will you ever do so in future."

"Why, what do you mean?" asked Norwood, in astonishment.

"That we 'll all go back and lunch at the 'Luna;' for there's no-nothing
to fight about."

Norwood pushed by him contemptuously, and with hurried steps walked up
to where the old Colonel stood. "You are a French officer, sir," said
he, "and I rely upon your honor that, whether from the ignorance or
inaptitude of that gentleman, no blame may attach itself to me in this
business. I have no apology to offer, nor any amende save one."

"Very well, sir, we are ready," said the Colonel. "I will ask one of my
countrymen to act for you, for I see you are in very indifferent hands."

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