I might call you to account."

"It is possible, then?"

"Braver men than you find it to their benefit to respect this sword of
mine."

"Then you have a sword?"

The vicomte laughed. It was real laughter, unfeigned. He was too keen
a banterer himself not to appreciate this gift in the poet. "What a
lively lad you are!" he exclaimed. "But four affronts make a long
account for a single night."

"I am ready now and at all times to close the account."

"Do you love Paris?" asked the vicomte, adding his mite to the
bantering.

"Not so much as I did."

"Has not Rochelle become suddenly attractive?"

"Rochelle? I do not say so."

"Come; confess that the unexpected advent of Madame de Brissac has
brought this change about."

"Were we not discoursing on affronts?"

"Only as a sign of my displeasure. By September I dare say I shall
return to France. I promise to look you up; and if by that time your
manner has not undergone a desirable change I shall take my sword and
trim the rude edges of your courtesy."

"September? That is a long while to wait. Why not come to Spain with
me? We could have it out there. Quebec? Do you fear Mazarin, then,
so much as that?"

"Do you doubt my courage, Monsieur?" asked the vicomte, his eyes cold
and brilliant with points of light.

"But September?"

"Come, Monsieur; you are playing the boy. You will admit that I
possess some courage. 'Twould be a fool's pastime to measure swords
when neither of us is certain that to-morrow will see our heads safe
upon our shoulders. I am not giving you a challenge. I am simply
warning you."

"Warning? You are kind. However, one would think that you are afraid
to die."

"I am. There is always something which makes life worth the living.
But it is not the fear of dying by the sword. My courage has never
been questioned. Neither has yours. But there is some doubt as
regards your temper and reason ability. Brave? To be sure you are.
At this very moment you would draw against one of the best blades in
France were I to permit you. But when it comes man to man, Monsieur,
you have to stand on your toes to look into my eyes. My arm is three
inches longer than yours; my weight is greater. I have three
considerable advantages over you. I simply do not desire your life; it
is necessary neither to my honor nor to my happiness."

"To desire and to accomplish are two different things, Monsieur."

"Not to me, Monsieur," grim