“I am here to defend the Princess Zilah, and to avenge Prince Andras. I am here, above all, to demand satisfaction for your atrocious action in having taken me as the instrument of your villainy.”
“I regret it deeply and sincerely,” replied Menko; “and I am at your orders.”
The tone of this response admitted of no reply, and Yanski and Valla took their departure.
Valla then obtained another second from the Hungarian embassy, and two officers in garrison at Florence consented to serve as Menko’s friends. It was arranged that the duel should take place in a field near Pistoja.
Valla, anxious and uneasy, said to Varhely:
“All this is right and proper, but—”
“But what?”
“But suppose he kills you? The right is the right, I know; but leaden bullets are not necessarily on the side of the right, and—”
“Well,” interrupted Yanski, “in case of the worst, you must charge yourself, my dear Valla, with informing the Prince how his old friend Yanski Varhely defended his honor—and also tell him of the place where Count Menko may be found. I am going to attempt to avenge Zilah. If I do not succeed, ‘Teremtete’!” ripping out the Hungarian oath, “he will avenge me, that is all! Let us go to supper.”