The old Frenchman looked jaded and worn, but he soon pulled himself together, and was as cheerful and vivacious as heretofore.
Lord Ethalwood was of course more than usually grave and thoughtful.
“It is a matter of business I have come upon, monsieur,” said he. “Indeed, I may say it is rather a serious business.”
“Ah, my worthy friend!” exclaimed the old Frenchman. “A little escapade, I suppose. Well, you may command both my advice and services. I need hardly intimate that.”
“I am perfectly well assured you will do your best to serve me,” returned the earl. “First and foremost let me put you in possession of all the facts connected with the case.”
The Frenchman bowed, and his companion proceeded. He gave him an unvarnished narrative of the events which led up to the proposed hostile meeting.
“Mon Dieu!” exclaimed the chevalier. “Risk your life in a duel with a low-born peasant, that’s not discreet. Bah! It’s madness. Positive madness.”
“It can’t be helped—I must give him satisfaction, I have pledged my word, and my honour is at stake,” observed Ethalwood.
“You ought to have seen me before undertaking such a foolhardy enterprise. What, fight with a ruffian of that type! Bah, it’s monstrous.”
“It is very indiscreet, I admit, but as I before observed, I cannot refuse now, and therefore have come hither to ask you to be my second.”