"Who are you, Master Benvenuto Cellini? I do not know you," said the duchess in blank amazement. "Who are you?"
"Vrai Dieu! a man among men, as you are a woman among women," rejoined the goldsmith, laughing with his customary frankness; "and if you do not know me, you see that I have a great advantage over you, for I do know you, madame."
"It may be so," said the duchess, "but it is my opinion that a woman among women loves better and more earnestly than a man among men, for she snaps her fingers at your superhuman abnegation, and defends her lover with beak and claws to the last gasp."
"You persist, then, in refusing to give Ascanio to Colombe?"
"I persist in loving him myself."
"So be it. But if you will not yield with good grace, beware! I am somewhat rough when I am roused, and may make you cry out a little in the mêlée. You have reflected fully, have you not? You refuse once for all your consent to the union of Ascanio and Colombe."
"Most emphatically, yes."
"Very good! to our posts!" cried Benvenuto, "for the battle is on."
At that moment the door opened and an usher announced the king.