whether he will return it.

_Septmonts_--You will fight me, then, you mean?

_Clarkson_--Oh! as for that; yes, fight as much as you like.

_Septmonts_--Very well; when I have finished with the other, you and I
will have our business together.

_Clarkson_--Say the day after to-morrow, then?

_Septmonts_--The day after to-morrow.

_Clarkson_--Stop; I must start off by to-morrow night, at the latest.

_Septmonts_--You can wait. And while waiting, leave me!

_Clarkson_--Duke, do I look like a man to whom to say "leave" in that
tone, and who goes? Now look at me; it isn't hard to see what I have
decided. I don't mean you to fight with Gerard before you have fought
with me. If Gerard kills you, I shan't have the pleasure of crossing
swords with "one of the first fencers in Paris," which it will amuse
me to do. If you kill him, you cause irreparable misfortunes. If you
think I'm going to let you kill a man who has saved me twenty-five per
cent. in the cost of washing gold, you are mistaken! Come, prove you
are brave, even when you aren't sure of being the stronger! Go and get
a good pair of swords from your room (since the sword is your favorite
weapon--mine, too, for the matter of that), and follow me to those
great bare grounds back of your house. On my way here I was wondering
why in goodness's name they were not utilized. In the heart of the
city they must be worth a good deal! We will prove it. As for seconds,
umpires of the point of honor, we'll have the people who pass by in
the street--if any do pass.

[_Septmonts rushes in a fury toward the door, but when there
stretches his hand toward the bell. Clarkson throws himself
between him and the bell._]

_Clarkson_--Ah! no ringing, please! Don't play the Louis XV.
gentleman, and order your servants to cudgel a poor beggar! or as sure
as my name is Clarkson, I'll slap your face, sir, before all your
lackeys!

_Septmonts_--Very well, so be it! I _will_ begin with you. [_Angrily
hastens from the room for the weapons._]

_Clarkson_--Quite right! [_Looking coolly at his watch._] Let me see;
why, perhaps I _can_ get away from Paris this evening after all. [_He
goes calmly out at the back toward the darkened garden._]

[_The Duchess of Septmonts has pulled aside the portiere and
looks toward the door by which her husband and Mr. Clarkson
have gone out. She is very much agitated, and can hardly
walk. She rings the bell, and then makes an