“He is a fool who gives up his life willingly at twenty-five. But, now I think of it——”

“Well.”

“M. de Bussy is sure to kill me.”

“I do not doubt it.”

“Then it will not be a duel, but an assassination.”

“Perhaps so.”

“And if it be, it is lawful to prevent an assassination by——”

“By?”

“A murder.”

“Doubtless.”