"I am extremely obliged, monsieur; a thousand pardons for the trouble I am causing you."
"Why, between honorable men, this is the way it should always be: when the fight's over, shake hands. It's a pity the sword went in so far, or we might have breakfasted together."
"Oh! I am forced to admit that that would be quite impossible."
"Yes, I understand. You are in for a fortnight of it, perhaps three weeks. There's a lot of muscles in the arm, that are as obstinate as the devil about getting well. Are you strong enough to walk to your cabriolet, leaning on me? Shall I call your groom?"
"Oh! there's no need; I can walk with your assistance."
"Take my arm, and don't be afraid to lean on it."
Monléard succeeded, although suffering intensely, in reaching his carriage, which Cherami assisted him to enter, after putting the swords inside. Then, saluting his adversary, who thanked him again, Cherami walked away, saying:
"Delighted to have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance!"
XIX
A SALON IN THE CHAUSSÉE D'ANTIN
Three weeks after the marriage of Fanny Gerbault and the brilliant Auguste Monléard, the exceedingly handsome salon of a house on Rue Neuve-des-Mathurins contained, about nine o'clock in the evening, a company in which, although small in numbers, we shall find several persons of our acquaintance.