Then turning to her husband, whose knees she had been clasping, she reiterated, "My love! my love! give him the order! Give it him, I entreat you!"
"Or would you prefer," I continued, "that I went and hunted up two or three friends so that our numbers may be equal on both sides?"
"Indeed yes, monsieur, I should much prefer that course."
"Be on your guard, Monsieur le Vicomte! I go, relying on your word of honour; I go, because I have you at my mercy and could blow out the brains of every one of you.... I can promise you it would soon be done.... Shall I find you on my return where you are and as you are?"
"Yes, yes! monsieur," exclaimed Madame de Linières.
I bowed courteously but without ceding one jot.
"It is your husband's word of honour I require, madame."
"Well, then, monsieur," the king's-lieutenant said, "I will give you my word."
"I presume that it includes these gentlemen equally?"
The officers bowed in the affirmative. I uncocked my pistols and replaced them in my pockets. Then, addressing myself to Madame de Linières—