ught of Alixe, and I had no
wish to make matters hard for her. Everything in its own good time, and
when I should be free! So, without more ado, I said to him:

"Monsieur, the quarrel was of your choosing, not mine. There was no need
for strife between us, and you have more to lose than I: more friends,
more years of life, more hopes. I have avoided your bait, as you call
it, for your sake, not mine own. Now I take it, and you, monsieur, show
us what sort of fisherman you are."

All was arranged in a moment. As we turned to pass from the room to the
courtyard, I noted that Bigot was gone. When we came outside, it was
just one, as I could tell by a clock striking in a chamber near. It was
cold, and some of the company shivered as we stepped upon the white,
frosty stones. The late October air bit the cheek, though now and then
a warm, pungent current passed across the courtyard--the breath from
the people's burnt corn. Even yet upon the sky was the reflection of the
fire, and distant sounds of singing, shouting, and carousal came to us
from the Lower Town.

We stepped to a corner of the yard and took off our coats; swords were
handed us--both excellent, for we had had our choice of many. It was
partial moonlight, but there were flitting clouds. That we should have
light, however, pine torches had been brought, and these were stuck in
the wall. My back was to the outer wall of the courtyard, and I saw the
Intendant at a window of the palace looking down at us. Doltaire stood
a little apart from the other gentlemen in the courtyard, yet where he
could see Duvarney and myself at advantage.

Before we engaged, I looked intently into my opponent's face, and
measured him carefully with my eye, that I might have his height and
figure explicit and exact; for I know how moonlight and fire distort,
how the eye may be deceived. I looked for every button; for the spot in
his lean, healthy body where I could disable him, spit him, and yet not
kill him--for this was the thing furthest from my wishes, God knows.
Now the deadly character of the event seemed to impress him, for he was
pale, and the liquor he had drunk had given him dark hollows round the
eyes, and a gray shining sweat was on his cheek. But his eyes themselves
were fiery and keen and there was reckless daring in every turn of his
body.

I was not long in finding his quality, for he came at me violently from
the start, and I had chance to know his strength and weakness