"Do you refuse to give me satisfaction?"
"What satisfaction do I owe you?"
"You insulted me."
"When?"
"And you said, 'The day, the place, the weapons. I leave all to your choice.'"
M. Langis could not refrain from smiling. "Ah! you at last acknowledge that your fainting fit was comedy?" he rejoined.
"Acknowledge on your part," replied Samuel, "that you insult persons when you believe that they are not in a state to hear you. Your courage likes to take the safe side."
"Be reasonable," replied Camille. "I placed myself at Count Larinski's disposal: you cannot require me to fight with a Samuel Brohl!"
Samuel sprang to his feet; with fierce bearing and head erect he advanced to the young man, who awaited him unflinchingly, and whose resolute manner awed him. He cast upon him a sinister look, turned and reseated himself, bit his lips until the blood came; then said in a placid voice:—
"Will you do me the favor of telling me, monsieur, to what I owe the honor of this visit?"