“Monsieur, I do not accuse him,” said Reteau, who feared that he should encounter the anger of Cagliostro after he had done with these two.
Charny raised his cane.
“Oh, if I had a sword!” cried Reteau.
“M. Philippe, will you lend your sword to this man?”
“No, M. de Charny, I cannot lend my sword to a man like that; but I will lend you my cane, if yours does not suffice.”
“Corbleu! a cane!” cried Reteau. “Do you know that I am a gentleman?”
“Then lend me your sword, M. de Taverney; he shall have mine, and I will never touch it again!” cried Charny.
Philippe unsheathed his sword, and passed it through the railings.
“Now,” said Charny, throwing down his sword at the feet of Reteau, “you call yourself a gentleman, and you write such infamies against the Queen of France; pick up that sword, and let us see what kind of a gentleman you are.”
But Reteau did not stir; he seemed as afraid of the sword at his feet as he had been of the uplifted cane.