"Afraid—I afraid!" cried Chanlay, facing him; "did you say that I was afraid?"
"I did," replied Dubois.
"Do you, then, seek a quarrel?"
"It appears so. I see you come from Quimper—Corentin."
"Paques-Dieu!" said Gaston, drawing his sword, "draw!"
"And you, off with your coat," said Dubois, throwing off his cloak, and preparing to do the same with his coat.
"Why so?" asked the chevalier.
"Because I do not know you, monsieur, and because those who walk at night frequently have their coat prudently lined with a shirt of mail."
At these words the chevalier's cloak and coat were thrown aside; but, at the moment when Gaston was about to rush on his adversary, the four men appeared and seized him.
"A duel, monsieur," cried they, "in spite of the king's prohibition!" and they dragged him toward the door.