fore the justice of the peace! Perhaps her father
wouldn't have portioned her; but then the husband would have worked,
gone into business, and the two young people would have been happy all
the same. As to your M. Gerard here, he is an honest man and a clever
one. We like people who work, we Americans, and to whatever country
they belong, we hold them as compatriots--because we are such savages,
I suppose. So you understand that I don't at all share your opinion of
this question.

_Septmonts_--And so speaking, you mean--?

_Clarkson_--That if I give you this explanation, it is because I think
I understand that in paying me the honor of choosing me as a second,
you thought that the men of my country were less clear-sighted, less
scrupulous than the men of yours. In short, duke, you thought I would
lend my hand to all these social pettinesses, these little vilenesses
which you have just recounted with a candor that honors you.

_Septmonts_--Do you happen to remember, Mr. Clarkson, that you are
talking to _me_--in this way?

_Clarkson_--To you. Because there are only two of us here! But if you
like, we will call in other people to listen.

_Septmonts_--Then, sir, you tell me to my face--

_Clarkson_--I tell you to your face that to squander your
inheritance--to have gambled away money you did not have--to borrow it
from a woman without knowing when or how you could return it--to marry
in order to pay your debts and continue your dissipations--to revenge
yourself now on an innocent woman--to steal letters--to misapply your
skill in arms by killing a brave man--why, I tell you to your face
that all that is the work of a rascal, and that therefore a rascal you
are. Oh, what astonishes me is that fifty people haven't told you so
already, and that I have had to travel three thousand leagues to
inform you on the subject! For you don't seem to have ever suspected
it, and you don't look thoroughly convinced even now.

_Septmonts_ [_controlling himself with the greatest difficulty_]--Mr.
Clarkson, you know that I cannot call you to account until I have
settled with your friend M. Gerard. You take a strange advantage of
the fact, sir. But we shall meet again. Please return me the paper you
have had from me.

_Clarkson_--Your wife's letter? Never in the world! As it was
addressed to M. Gerard, it belongs to M. Gerard. I intend to give it
to M. Gerard. If _he_ wants to return it to you, I won't stand in the
way; but I doubt