The count put the whole of his head outside of the bedclothes, in order to obtain a better view of the person who had made this proposition to him; and, after scrutinizing him carefully, he replied, in a mocking tone:
"It makes no difference how closely I examine you, my dear monsieur, I do not know you at all."
"We will make each other's acquaintance by fighting."
"Why should you expect me to fight with you? You haven't insulted me in any way."
"If an insult is all that is necessary to induce you to fight with me, never fear, I'll insult you; but I confess that I should prefer to have the affair pass off quietly, courteously, as becomes well-bred people; and, although I am not, like you, monsieur le comte, of noble birth, I beg you to believe that you will not cross swords with a churl. I am of good family, I was well educated, I inherited a very pretty little fortune; but I made a fool of myself for that charming sex which is decidedly fond of cashmere shawls and truffles. I have ruined myself, pretty nearly, but I haven't forgotten how to use a sword; as poor Auguste Monléard had reason to know."
"What's that? you fought with my pretty widow's first husband?"
"The day after the wedding; and I gave him a very neat sword-thrust in the forearm."
"Ah! that fall that he claimed to have had on the stairs?"
"Gad! monsieur, it seems that you have sworn the death of all the captivating Fanny's husbands."
"If she had married my friend Gustave, I promise you that I wouldn't have fought with him!"
"You will permit me to inform you, monsieur, that your conduct is utterly absurd."
"Because one doesn't take up the cudgels in this way for another man who is old enough to attend to his own affairs. Your friend Gustave doesn't see fit to fight; why should you take it into your head to fight for him?"
"I explained the reasons of my conduct a moment ago. If you didn't listen, I will repeat them."
"It's a waste of time, monsieur; I shall not fight with you."
With that, the count pulled up the bedclothes, turned his face to the wall, and curled himself up so that he made but a large-sized ball.
Cherami rose and paced the floor; then went to the fireplace and warmed his feet at the fire that burned briskly on the hearth, saying: