"What do you mean, you ill-mannered churl! What do you mean by driving in front of my horses?" cried a loud and angry voice.
"What do you mean yourself, clown!" was the furious reply of the Jehu addressed. "My horses were merely advancing to take the position which belongs to them of right, and how dare you stop the way!"
"Do you hear?" asked Eugene, with composure. "The drama begins, and
I and my whip will shortly appear on the stage. It was my trusty old
Philip who began the fray, and—it has already gone from words to
blows, for it seems to me I heard something like a box on the ear—"
"You did indeed!" exclaimed the Prince de Conti; "but what on earth can it mean?"
"You will find out presently," replied Eugene. "But wait a moment, I must listen for my cue—"
"Your cue will have to be a thunder-clap, if you are to hear it above all this racket," said De la Roche, slightly lowering one of the windows, and looking cautiously out. "Devil take me! but it is a veritable pitched battle. These knights of the hammer-cloth are dexterous in the use of their fists, and every one of your servants, Eugene, are engaged in the fight!"
The prince's last words were lost to his listeners, for a tremendous crash drowned his voice, and something fell heavily to the ground.
"This is my cue," cried Eugene. "Come—I am about to make my debut." And before he had time to rise from his seat, the portiere flew open, and Conrad hastily took down the carriage-steps.
"Is his coach overturned?" asked the prince.
"Yes, your highness, and he is inside. His footmen tried to get him out; but with the help of some of our friends we fell upon them, and so gave them plenty of occupation, until your highness was ready to appear."