She attacked each flank in turn, but so agile was I that I escaped capture, although my position in regard to the chairs was twice reversed. We performed a series of nimble manœuvres which were characterized on my part by a high degree of strategy. But I found the rampart of chairs an untenable place. I was again obliged hurriedly to retreat, this time taking up a position behind a large table.
"Madam," I said desperately, "believe me, you are suffering under a grave misapprehension."
"Again he talks of misapprehension!"
We revolved once swiftly around the table; she stopped, panting.
"And this is the blusterer! And why do you not stand your ground, coward?"
"Madam," said I with more coolness now that I saw she would soon be losing her wind, "I would esteem it very ungallant behaviour if I endured your attack for even a brief moment. My forefathers form a brave race which always runs away from the ladies."
After this speech we revolved twice around the table. I must in all candour say that the Countess used language which would not at all suit the pages of my true and virtuous chronicle; but indeed it was no worse than I often heard afterward from the great ladies of the time. However, the talk was not always addressed to me, thank the Saints!
After we had made the two revolutions, I spoke reasonably. "Madam," said I, "if we go spinning about the table in this fashion for any length of time, these gawking spectators will think we are a pair of wheels."
"Spectators!" she cried, lifting her old head high. She beheld about seventy-five interested people. She called out loudly to them:
"And is there no gentleman among you all to draw his sword and beat me this rascal from the inn?"