cification. That my opinions, however, are not the opinions to be
expected from a gentleman, is an observation so directly offensive as to
allow me but one line of conduct. Some courtesy, nevertheless, is due
to the presence of this company, and to yourself, at this moment, as
my guest. You will pardon me, therefore, if, upon this consideration, I
deviate slightly from the general usage among gentlemen in similar cases
of personal affront. You will forgive me for the moderate tax I shall
make upon your imagination, and endeavor to consider, for an instant,
the reflection of your person in yonder mirror as the living Mynheer
Hermann himself. This being done, there will be no difficulty whatever.
I shall discharge this decanter of wine at your image in yonder mirror,
and thus fulfil all the spirit, if not the exact letter, of resentment
for your insult, while the necessity of physical violence to your real
person will be obviated."

With these words he hurled the decanter, full of wine, against the
mirror which hung directly opposite Hermann; striking the reflection of
his person with great precision, and of course shattering the glass into
fragments. The whole company at once started to their feet, and, with
the exception of myself and Ritzner, took their departure. As Hermann
went out, the Baron whispered me that I should follow him and make an
offer of my services. To this I agreed; not knowing precisely what to
make of so ridiculous a piece of business.

The duellist accepted my aid with his stiff and ultra recherche air,
and, taking my arm, led me to his apartment. I could hardly forbear
laughing in his face while he proceeded to discuss, with the profoundest
gravity, what he termed "the refinedly peculiar character" of the insult
he had received. After a tiresome harangue in his ordinary style, he
took down from his book shelves a number of musty volumes on the subject
of the duello, and entertained me for a long time with their contents;
reading aloud, and commenting earnestly as he read. I can just remember
the titles of some of the works. There were the "Ordonnance of Philip le
Bel on Single Combat"; the "Theatre of Honor," by Favyn, and a treatise
"On the Permission of Duels," by Andiguier. He displayed, also, with
much pomposity, Brantome's "Memoirs of Duels,"--published at Cologne,
1666, in the types of Elzevir--a precious and unique vellum-paper
volume, with a fine margin, and bound by Derome. But he requeste