Again she stared at him blankly, and with that vague expression of puzzlement which irritated whilst it half-frightened him.
"You were there, my dear," he said impatiently, "you know . . . and of course you must have seen . . ."
"What?"
"Milor jeered at Gaston, then tripped him up with his foot, so that Monsieur de Stainville measured his full length on the floor."
"I did not notice. . . ." she said simply.
"But many people did . . . enough at all events to give Monsieur de Stainville the initiative in the necessary reparation. He was the insulted party."
"Oh! a duel, you mean," she said indifferently, "yes, I suppose my husband will fight Monsieur de Stainville if His Majesty will grant them leave."
"Gaston will not appeal to His Majesty, and milor cannot very well refuse to meet him. The King has oft declared his intention of permanently suppressing all duelling just as it has been done in England. Even to-night after the unfortunate fracas, when I had the honour of paying my final respects, His Majesty said to me: 'If milor Eglinton and Monsieur de Stainville fight and one of them is killed, we'll hang the survivor!'"
"Then they'll not fight, you think?"
Monsieur le Duc stared at his daughter. Such complete indifference as to her husband's actions in so grave a matter passed the bounds of correct behaviour.