"My vis-à-vis in a danse à deux," added the hunchback, with a meaning gesture. "Do you understand me?"
"A duel—with you?" cried M. de Mornand, who, in his first transport of anger, had forgotten the high social position of the hunchback, and the ridicule which would be heaped upon him if he engaged in a personal encounter with such an adversary. "A duel with you, monsieur? Really—"
"Are you going to plead as an excuse that such a position would be too—too remarkable or too dangerous, as your friend Ravil would say?"
"No, monsieur, I do not consider it too dangerous—but too ridiculous."
"Yes, frightfully ridiculous to you, as I remarked to your honest friend here a moment ago."
"Really, gentlemen," exclaimed Ravil, "I will never permit—"
Then seeing Gerald de Senneterre passing through the garden, he added:
"Here comes the Duc de Senneterre, the son of the house. I shall ask him to assist me in putting a stop to this foolish quarrel."
"Yes, gentlemen, the duke's coming is most opportune," replied the hunchback. And turning towards the young man, he called out:
"Gerald, my friend, we need your assistance."