"Frédérique has undertaken to send him to me. I fancy that it will be a certain Prussian baron, an excellent and honorable man."
I had finished dressing just as the clock struck nine. I was already beginning to fret over the baron's non-appearance, when my door opened and a slender, graceful young man, of most attractive aspect, stood before us. I looked at him several times, before I exclaimed:
"Frédérique!"
"Myself, my friend."
"What's that? Why, yes, on my word, it's Madame Dauberny!"
"Why are you in this disguise?"
"What! can't you guess? I am your other second."
"You! Can you think of such a thing, Frédérique?"
"I thought of it instantly, when I knew that you were going to fight for me."
"But it's impossible! A woman cannot act as second. I cannot consent to it.—Isn't that so, Balloquet?"