"You are not properly dressed for a duel with pistols," interposed Colonel Anderson, glancing at Benedict's costume.
"Really," said Benedict, "I never thought about what clothes I was to fight in. I only wanted to do it with comfort to myself. That's all!"
"You can at least put on your tunic and button it!"
"Bah! It is much too hot."
"Perhaps we ought to have taken the pistols first. All this sword-play may have unsteadied your hand."
"My hand is my servant, dear colonel; it knows it has to obey me and you will see it does so."
"Do you wish to see the pistols you are to use?"
"You have seen them, have you not? Are they double barrelled or single?"
"Single barrelled duelling pistols. They were hired this morning from a gunsmith in the Grande Place."
"Then call my other second and see them properly loaded. Mind the shot is inside the barrels, and not dropped outside."