"Present! here I am, monsieur. A thousand pardons for not being dressed; but it will take me only a minute. Pray be kind enough to take a seat while you wait."
"Thanks, I am not tired."
"Then, remain standing. You may do as you please.—Where the devil did I put my false collar?"
"You divine the motive of my visit, monsieur, I fancy?"
"What! do I divine it? Why, I have been waiting for you, with some impatience. But I said to myself: 'That gentleman will not come very early, because, on the day after his wedding—— ' Ha! ha! I don't think I need say any more."
"It has occurred to me, monsieur, that our duel might as well take place without witnesses. The subject of our dispute is such a delicate one! There are some things which one doesn't like to make a noise about; for the world, which is unkind, as a general rule, sometimes makes a mountain out of what was——"
"Only a mouse—parturiens montes. I am entirely of your opinion.—Ah! I have my collar."
"Then, monsieur, you consent to fight with no other witness than my servant?"
"Very gladly; I have already fought that way more than once."
"Thinking that you might have no weapons, monsieur, I brought two swords and a pair of pistols with me."