"That is just what I have been asking you for, for the past hour."
"Leave your address; my seconds will call upon you to-morrow at eight o'clock; see that yours are there, also."
Cherami scratched his ear, muttering:
"My seconds! Do we need any seconds? Why not settle the business at once, between ourselves?"
"Oho! monsieur, so you never have fought a duel?"
"More than you have, I'll wager."
"Then you should know that people don't fight without seconds; it is forbidden."
"I am very well aware that it is customary to have them; but we don't always conform to custom. For instance, Monsieur Monléard and I fought without seconds."
"But, monsieur, as I have no desire to find myself with a wretched affair on my hands on your account, I tell you that I will not fight without seconds."
"So be it! As you insist upon it, we will have them."