"We will see about that, monsieur."
"Listen, young man. I have fought fifty-seven duels, so I can easily dispense with fighting the fifty-eighth with you. I prefer, consequently, to try to induce you to listen to the voice of reason, if possible. Permit me, therefore, to ask you one question: You have just returned from a journey, I believe?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"You were absent several days, I think. May I ask if you have seen Mariette since your return?"
"No, monsieur, but—"
"Ah, well, my young friend, the same thing has happened to you that has happened to many other lovers. Mariette was not aware that you were the son of a millionaire; I presented myself in your absence, and offered her what has never yet failed to turn the head of a half-starved grisette. Her godmother, who was also dying of hunger, craved the fleshpots of Egypt, naturally,—and, well, 'les absents ont toujours tort,' you know. Ha, ha, you understand!"
"My God!" groaned Louis, his anger giving place to profound despair. "My God! it is true, then."
"If I had known that I was interfering with a prospective client, I would have abstained, I assure you. Now it is too late. Besides, there are as good fish in the sea—You know the proverb. Come, my young friend, don't take it so much to heart. The girl was entirely too young for you. She needs training. You will find plenty of charming women already trained and thoroughly trained. I can particularly recommend a certain Madame——"
"Wretch!" exclaimed Louis, seizing the man of affairs by the collar, "wretch!—"
"Monsieur, you shall answer for this!" exclaimed the commandant, trying to wrench himself from his rival's iron grasp.