lders.

"The duke's seconds said, 'We bear testimony to the honourable
character of M. Charles Robert, but M. de Lucenay cannot, ought not, and
will not retract.' 'Then, gentlemen,' replied my seconds, 'M. de Lucenay
is obstinately determined to assert that M. Charles Robert has a phlegmy
cough?' 'Yes, gentlemen, but he does not therefore mean in the slightest
way to impugn the high respectability of M. Charles Robert.' 'Then let
him retract--' 'No, gentlemen, M. de Lucenay acknowledges M. Robert as a
most decidedly worthy gentleman, but still asserts that he has a phlegmy
cough.' You see there was no means of arranging so serious an affair."

"To be sure not. You were insulted in the point which a man holds
dearest."

"Wasn't I? Well, time and place were agreed on; and yesterday morning we
met at Vincennes, and everything passed off in the most honourable
manner possible. I touched M. de Lucenay slightly in the arm, and the
seconds declared that honour was satisfied. Then the duke, with a loud
voice, said, 'I never retract before a meeting, but, afterwards, it is a
very different thing. It is, therefore, my duty, and my honour impels me
to declare, that I falsely accused M. Charles Robert of having a phlegmy
cough. Gentlemen, I not only declare that my honourable opponent had not
a phlegmy cough, but I trust he never will have one.' Then the duke
extended his hand in the most cordial manner, saying,'Are you now
satisfied?' 'We are friends through life and death,' I replied; and it
was really due to him to say so. The duke has behaved to perfection.
Either he might have said nothing, or contented himself with declaring
that I had not the phlegmy cough. But to express his wish that I might
never have it, was a most delicate attention on his part."

"This is what I call courage well employed! But what do you want?"

"My dear cashkeeper" (this was another of M. Robert's habitual
pleasantries), "it is a matter of great importance to me. You know
that, according to our agreement, I have advanced to you three hundred
and fifty thousand francs (14,000_l._) to complete a particular payment
you had; and it was stipulated that I was to give you three months'
notice of my wish to withdraw that money, the interest of which you pay
me regularly."

"Go on."

"Well," said M. Robert, hesitatingly, "I--no--that is--"

"What?"

"Why, it is only a whim of becoming a landed proprietor."

"Come to the point, pray! You annoy me."