"Did you hear me?"
"Will you swear never to come to Madame Dermont's again?"
"Yes, I swear; but you are murdering me! I left a pipe case at my sister's; I came to get it."
"You didn't come on any such paltry errand as that; you came to ask that lady for more money, dastard that you are!"
"You insult me, monsieur!"
"Ah! you feel that you are insulted, do you? Very well! if you have the least bit of pluck, come with me, and I'll give you satisfaction. There's a gunsmith's close by; we can go there and get pistols, and take a cab. Come!"
"I, fight! I think I see myself! no, thanks! Let me go; I've had enough! I swear I won't come here again."
"Go, then; but if you fail to keep that oath, I swear that I won't fail to shoot you!"
Monsieur Alexandre did not stay to listen to any more; he ran away as if he feared pursuit. Thereupon the concierge, who had armed himself with his broom to support Adhémar if necessary, exclaimed: