"That is true; he is very strong.—Is monsieur le comte's wound entirely cured?"
"Yes, it has cicatrized. But our meeting was six weeks ago, and my strength doesn't come back."
"Monsieur le comte, will you allow me to make you an offer?"
"What sort of an offer is it?"
"I have fought duels quite often in the course of my life."
"Oh! I believe it."
"I have been wounded several times."
"You fence very well, however; but one sometimes thrusts awkwardly."
"Well, monsieur le comte, a dear old cousin of mine, who was very fond of me in spite of my escapades, made me a present of a liquid, by the aid of which I was always on my feet in a very short time, even after the most severe wound."
"The deuce you say!"