months.
“‘No explanation,’ he said to me, ‘let us go instantly and fight it out.’
“‘At least,’ I said, ‘you will permit me to go home and get a sword? I have only a mourning sword with me in the carriage.’
“‘We are passing the house of M. le Comte de Turpin, who will lend you one and who will serve as witness.’
“He sprang into my carriage. I got in after him, while his equipage followed ours. He did me the honor of assuring me that this time I would not escape him, ornamenting his sentences with those superb imprecations which are so familiar in his speech. The coolness of my replies augmented his rage.
“We arrived as M. de Turpin was leaving his home. He mounted on the box of my carriage.
“‘M. le duc,’ I said, ‘is carrying me off. I do not know why he wants us to cut one another’s throats, but in this strange adventure he hopes that you will wish to serve as witness of our conduct.’
“M. de Turpin replied that a pressing matter forced him to go at once to the Luxembourg and would detain him there until four o’clock in the afternoon. I perceived that M. de Turpin had for his object to allow time for the rage of Monsieur le duc to calm itself. He left us. M. de Chaulnes wished to take me to his home. ‘No, thank you,’ I replied, and ordered my coachman to drive to mine.
“‘If you descend I will poniard you at your own door.’
“‘You will have the pleasure then, because it is exactly where I am going.’ Then I asked him to dine with me.