"Oh! I am not ignorant that you have other affairs on hand, and it is just that which is distressing me."
"And, in your idea, what have I on hand?"
"That is easily guessed, and I am surprised, sir, that you should have imagined that you could keep your plans a secret from me."
"Keep my plans secret!"
"Yes, sir. It would have been very easy to have told me all, and I take the liberty of saying decidedly that my care, my zeal, and my devotion in your service are worthy of this proof of your confidence."
"Do I understand you, then, to imply that I am compelled to tell you where I am going?"
"There is no compulsion, sir. There is no question of any obligation towards me, but you would have only been acting with prudence by claiming my presence in such circumstances as these. I could, at all events, carry the swords or the pistols, keep off the gendarmes, and assist in conveying the wounded one to a carriage."
"Swords! Pistols! Gendarmes! The wounded!" echoed M. de Morin, wondering whether he had not turned prematurely silly. Suddenly he understood it all, and exclaimed—
"I have it I You fancy that I am going to fight a duel."
"What else could I think, sir?" said Joseph, very grave and solemn. "Did you not tell me that you were neither going on a journey, nor out shooting?"