"So that's the way your love for men shews itself!"
"No," said the naturalist, — "no, — I never did ask a man to meet me more than that one time. And I did not hurt him much. I only want to punish him a little."
"Why, Mr. Herder!" Rose repeated. "I didn't think you would do such a thing."
"Everybody fight in Germany," said the naturalist; "they all fight at the Universités — they must fight. I found the only way was to make myself so good swordsman that I should be safe."
"And have you fought many duels?" said Elizabeth.
"Yes — I have fought — I have been obliged by circumstances to fight a good many. — I have seen two hundred."
"Two hundred duels, Mr. Herder!"
"Yes. — I have seen four men killed."
"Were you ever hurt, Mr. Herder?" said Rose.
"No — I never was wounded. I saw how it was — that the only thing to do was to excel ozers; so as in ozer things, I did in this."