"Your highness is at liberty to place any construction upon my words you please," he said.
"Thanks, my lord. Even if I assume that you charge us with cowardice?"
"Choose your own signification, prince," said Blair, beginning to grow warm, though it was only pretense.
"A nation of cowards!" said Prince Rivani, his eyes glittering at the success of the play. "That is a brave assertion; has the Earl of Ferrers courage to maintain it by the only consistent and appropriate argument?"
"I can maintain it at the sword's point, if necessary," said Blair, rising to his full height, and meeting the prince's deadly gaze with a steady, calm regard.
The prince bowed low, then turning slightly to the rest, said in a low, clear voice:
"Gentlemen, I call you to witness that the cause of quarrel is mine! Lord Ferrers has accused my country-men of a base and vile cowardice. I shall have the honor of defending them. As the Earl of Ferrers says, the argument is not one for words, but weapons! Is that so, my lord?"
"Your highness interprets me correctly," said Blair.
"Good! My friend, General Tralini, will have the honor of waiting upon your lordship at a later hour."
The prince drew him apart.