"I am the person who was injured, and the only one who knows what will effectively right me," Lecour answered;
"He is correct," said de Léry.
Panet did not push the point further but turned away, and the Chevalier showed the young man out of the house.
By noon, the following letter was received to sign—
"At Quebec, the 2nd October, 1788.
"Monsieur,—It is with much pleasure that I consent to grant you the satisfaction you ask. I hereby confess that I have been wrong in spreading the report that you have taken another name than that of your family. I retract it publicly and I assure you in that respect with the greatest frankness that I am fully convinced that the story which led me to commit this indiscretion is absolutely false and unworthy of you. I make you this reparation as being due to your character, and I am sincerely mortified about the misunderstanding which has caused you so much trouble.
"And I have the honour to be, sir,
"Yours, etc.
"To M. LeCour de Lincy, officer of the Bodyguard of the company of Noailles."
The old Councillor, one of the most respected men in the colony, grew red with shame.
"It is impossible for me, as a man of honour, to sign such a paper," he said to himself. After walking up and down in his parlours, therefore, he wrote a reply.