h such force that my blade was broken short
off, and I left completely at his mercy, with nothing but the stump in
my hand. See here, my lord duke! just look what he did to my precious,
priceless Sahagun." And Jacquemin Lampourde, with a piteous air, drew
out and exhibited the sorry remains of his trusty sword--almost weeping
over it--and calling the duke's attention to the perfectly straight and
even break.

"Your highness can see that it was a prodigious blow that snapped this
steel like a pipe-stem, and it was done with such ease and precision.
To despatch Captain Fracasse by fair means is beyond my skill, my lord
duke, and I would scorn to resort to treachery. Like all truly brave
men, he is generous. I was left entirely defenceless, and he could have
spitted me like an ortolan just by extending his arm, but he refrained;
he let me go unscathed. A miraculous display of delicacy, as well as
chivalrous generosity, from a gentleman assaulted in the gloaming on the
Pont-Neuf. I owe my life to him, and moreover, such a debt of gratitude
as I shall never be able to repay. I cannot undertake anything more
against him, my lord duke; henceforth he is sacred to me. Besides, it
would be a pity to destroy such a swordsman--good ones are rare in these
degenerate days, and growing more so every year. I don't believe he has
his equal on earth. Most men handle a sword as if it were a broomstick
nowadays, and then expect to be praised and applauded, the clumsy,
stupid fools! Now, I have given my reasons for coming to inform your
highness that I must resign the commission I had accepted. As for the
money there, I might perhaps have been justified in keeping it, to
indemnify me for the great risk and peril I incurred, but such a
questionable proceeding would be repugnant to my tender conscience and
my honest pride, as your highness can understand."

"In the name of all the devils in the infernal regions, take back your
money!" cried Vallombreuse impetuously, "or I will have you pitched out
of the window yonder, you and your money both. I never heard of such
a scrupulous scoundrel in my life. You, Merindol, and your cursed
crew, have not a spark of honour or honesty among you all; far enough
from it." Then perceiving that Lampourde hesitated about picking up
the purse, he added, "Take it, I tell you! I give it to you to drink my
health with."

"In that, my lord duke, you shall be religiously obeyed," Lampourde
replied joyfully; "how