I was not surprised at this decision on his part. Indeed, I had expected it with confidence.
"You will not reconsider?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Jamais de la vie!"
"Then the duel is off."
Paolo swore.
I smiled; but he did not see the smile. I was careful that he should not.
"I consider that you and your principal have taken an unfair advantage."
"That is between you and me. If you care to raise the question––"
"I have no quarrel with you."
"Then you and Mr. Laurence must treat the misunderstanding of this evening as if it had not been. This will not be difficult, as he will go with me on an excursion to-morrow, now that his—er—engagement with you is off; and the day after, he and I think of leaving Aix altogether, by way of Mont Revard."