We arranged to leave Paris on the following morning.
It was three hours after noontide when the ceremony was over. I made a rendezvous with M. Drouet for five o’clock at the “Hotel des Postes,” and left him to give my thanks and bid adieu to Maître Duplay and his family.
All the household had been to the fête of the federation.
I met the group, consisting of M. and Madame Duplay, the two daughters, and the two apprentices, at the top of the Rue St. Honoré.
I went up to and saluted them.
They, too, had remarked the hesitation with which the King took the oath, and were, in consequence, sorrowful.
We entered the house; the dinner awaited us; Duplay invited me to join them; I assented.
During the meal, Félicién, sure of his superiority over me as a fencer, spoke of the promise I had made to try a bout with him; and asked me, if, after dinner, I was prepared to stand by our agreement, and give M. Duplay and his daughters, the pleasure of witnessing our prowess. I replied that if it would please my worthy hosts, I should only be too happy to make such a slight return for their kindness and hospitality towards me.
Dinner finished, we passed into the workshop, Félicién evidently expecting an easy victory over me, and speaking much as a master would to a pupil.