He drew out of his pocket the envelope which contained the torn-up contract that Sabaroff had signed in Dora's presence.
"Here is the paper you signed in my house," said he; "I return it." So saying, he flung the torn pieces of paper in the Russian's face, and the bits of paper fluttered in all directions.
"You will answer to me for this affront, sir," said Sabaroff.
"With the greatest pleasure," rejoined Philip. "I am not in England now; I am in France; and you know what I mean by that. I am at your service. Here is my address."
The same evening a duel with pistols was arranged by two of the General's aides-de-camp and two artist friends of Philip.
Sabaroff hated Philip, and he promised himself to be revenged for Dora's disdain.
"I will kill him," he said to himself.
The encounter took place next morning at eight o'clock in the Bois de Vincennes.
Philip lodged a ball in the right shoulder of his adversary. Sabaroff would have killed Philip with pleasure.
At eleven-fifty Philip took the train for London, and at half-past seven he was back in his rooms at the Alexandra Hotel. The duel had been kept secret; there was no mention of it in the newspapers.