“You forget, sire,” said Saint-Aignan, “that I am a gentleman, and that I have been challenged.”
“The challenge neither concerns nor was it intended for you.”
“But I am the man, sire, who has been expected at the Minimes, sire, during the last hour and more; and I shall be dishonored if I do not go.”
“The first honor and duty of a gentleman is obedience to his sovereign.”
“Sire!”
“I order you to remain.”
“Sire!”
“Obey, monsieur!”
“As your majesty pleases.”
“Besides, I wish to have the whole of this affair explained; I wish to know how it is that I have been so insolently trifled with, as to have the sanctuary of my affections pried into. It is not you, Saint-Aignan, whose business it is to punish those who have acted in this manner, for it is not your honor they have attacked, but my own.”