s.

Then Ernanton said, "You know, monsieur, that without any cause on my
part, you have during the whole journey insulted me grievously. You
wished to make me fight at an inopportune time, and I refused; but now
the time is good and I am your man."

But St. Maline was angry no longer, and did not wish to fight.

"Monsieur," replied he, "when I insulted you, you responded by rendering
me a service. I can no longer hold the language I did just now."

"No; but you think the same."

"How do you know?"

"Because your words were dictated by hatred and envy, and they cannot
already be extinct in your heart."

St. Maline colored, but did not reply.

Ernanton continued, "If the king preferred me to you, it was because I
pleased him best. If I was not thrown into the Bievre like you, it was
because I ride better; if I did not accept your challenge before, it
was because I was wiser than you; if I was not bitten by the dog, it was
because I had more sagacity; if I now summon you to draw your sword, it
is because I have more honor; and if you hesitate, I shall say more
courage."

St. Maline looked like a demon, and drew his sword furiously.

"I have fought eleven times," said he, "and two of my adversaries are
dead. Are you aware of that, monsieur?"

"And I, monsieur, have never fought, for I have never had occasion, and
I did not seek it now. I wait your pleasure, monsieur."

"Oh!" said St. Maline, "we are compatriots, and we are both in the
king's service; do not let us quarrel. You are a brave man, and I would
give you my hand if I could. What would you have? I am envious--it is my
nature. M. de Chalabre, or M. de Montcrabeau, would not have made me
angry; it was your superior merit. Console yourself, therefore, for I
can do nothing against you, and unluckily your merit remains. I should
not like any one to know the cause of our quarrel."

"No one will know it, monsieur."

"No one?"

"No; for if we fight I should kill you, or you would kill me. I do not
despise life; on the contrary, I cling to it, for I am only twenty-three
years of age, have a good name and am not poor, and I shall defend
myself like a lion."

"Well, I, on the contrary, am thirty, and am disgusted with life; but
still I would rather not fight with you."

"Then you will apologize?"

"No, I have said enough. If you are not content, so much the better, for
you are not superior to me."

"But, monsieur, one cannot end a quarrel thus, witho