CHAPTER XVII.
THE FEUD.
The two men, on facing each other, looked without the nobleman making the plebeian cower. More than that, it was the latter who spoke the first.
"The count does me the honor to say he wants to speak with me. I am waiting for him to be good enough to do so."
"Billet," began Charny, "how comes it that you are here on an errand of vengeance? I thought you were the friend of your superiors the nobles, and, besides, a faithful and sound subject of his Majesty."
"I was all that, count: I was your most humble servant—for I cannot say your friend, in as much as such an honor is not vouchsafed to a farmer like me. But you may see that I am nothing of the kind at present."
"I do not follow you, Billet."
"Why need you? am I asking you the reason for your fidelity to the King, and your standing true to the Queen? No, I presume you have your reasons for doing this, and as you are a good and wise gentleman I expect your reasons are sound or at least meet for your conscience. I am not in your high position, count, and have not your learning; but you know, or you have heard I am accounted an honest and sensible man, and you may suppose that, like yourself, I have my reasons——suiting my conscience, if not good."
"Billet, I used to know you as far different from what you are now," said Charny, totally unaware of the farmer's grounds for hatred against royalty and nobility.