ir. In fact, what with your little knowledge of
German, your imperfect comprehension of what the Prince said, and your
own station in life, I'll engage to arrange everything and get you off
clear!"

"In a word," said I, "I am to plead in _forma, inferioris_,--isn't that
it?"

"Just so," said he, puffing out a long cloud from his pipe.

"I 'd rather die first!" cried I, with an energy that actually startled
him.

"Well," said he, after a pause, "I think it is very probable that will
come of it; but, if it be your choice, I have nothing to say."

"Go back, Herr Rittmeister," cried I, "and arrange the meeting for the
very earliest moment."

I said this with a strong purpose, for I felt if the event were to come
off at once I could behave well.

"As you are resolved on this course," said he, "do not make any such
confidences to others as you have made to me; nothing about those
Pottses in haberdashery and dry goods, but just simply you are the high
and well-born Potts of Pottsheim. Not a word more."

I bowed an assent, but so anxious was he to impress this upon me that he
went over it all once more.

"As it will be for me to receive the Prince's message, the choice of
weapons will be yours. What are you most expert with? I mean, after the
pistol?" said he, grinning.

"I am about equally skilled in all. Rapier, pistol, or sabre are all
alike to me."

"_Der Teufel!_" cried he: "I was not counting upon this; and as the
sabre is the Prince's weakest arm, we 'll select it."

I bowed again, and more blandly.

"There is but one thing more," said he, turning about just as he was
leaving the room. "Don't forget that in this case the gross provocation
came from _you_ and, therefore, be satisfied with self-defence, or, at
most, a mere flesh wound. Remember that the Prince is a near connection
of the Royal Family of England, and it would be irreparable ruin to you
were he to fall by your hand." And with this he went out.

Now, had he gravely bound me over not to strangle the lions in the
Tower, it could not have appeared more ridiculous to me than this
injunction, and if there had been in my heart the smallest fund of
humor, I could have laughed at it; but, Heaven knows, none of my
impulses took a mirthful turn at that moment, and there never was
invented the drollery that could wring a smile from me.

I was sitting in a sort of stupor--I know not how long--when the door
opened, and the Rittmeister's head peered in.