"Saint-Arthur, you witnessed the insult, you must be my second."
"I, your second; why, I don't know if——"
"Be kind enough to have two seconds," said Roncherolle, "for I shall bring two."
"Until to-morrow, monsieur; Saint-Arthur, be at my rooms before eight o'clock."
Jéricourt seized his hat and rushed from the room like a madman, without saluting anybody.
The young actress did not think of laughing, she was deeply impressed by all that had happened. As for Alfred, he turned white, red and yellow by turns, and seemed to be inclined to weep.
"My dear friends," said Roncherolle, resuming his seat at the table, "I am truly sorry to have disturbed the end of your dinner thus. But what would you have? I have been waiting for a long time for an opportunity to settle affairs with this fellow Jéricourt."
"Then you are certain that the pretty flower girl has been slandered?" said Zizi.
"Perfectly sure. However, this duel will be the judgment of God. Let us drink to the triumph of the truth."
"I am not thirsty any more," faltered Saint-Arthur. "Here I am forced to be a second in a duel! I don't like that at all, for—are your seconds quick-tempered?"