Louis with a bound placed himself between the speaker and Chateau Renaud.
"I beg to observe, madam," said the latter between his shut teeth, "that I brought you hither and consequently I am the proper person to conduct you home."
"Gentlemen," said the unknown, "you are five, I put myself into your honourable care. I trust you will defend me from the violence of M. de Chateau Renaud!"
Chateau Renaud made a movement. We all rose at once.
"Very good, madame," he said. "You are at liberty. I know with whom I have to reckon."
"If you refer to me, sir," replied Louis de Franchi with an air of hauteur impossible to describe, "you will find me all day to-morrow at the Rue du Helder, No. 7."
"Very well, monsieur. Perhaps I shall not have the pleasure to call upon you myself, but I hope that two friends of mine may be as cordially received in my place."
"That was all that was necessary," said Louis, shrugging his shoulders disdainfully. "A challenge before a lady! Come, madame," he continued, offering his arm. "Believe me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the honour you do me."
And then they left the room, amidst the most profound silence.
"Well, gentlemen, so it seems I have lost," said Chateau Renaud, when the door closed. "That's all settled! To-morrow evening all of you sup with me at the Frères Provençaux."
THE next day, or rather the same day, at ten o'clock, I called upon M. Louis de Franchi.
As I was ascending the staircase, I met two young men coming down. One was evidently a civilian, the other wore the Legion of Honour, and though in _mufti_ I could see he was an officer.
I had, no doubt, that these gentlemen had just been with M. de Franchi, and I watched them downstairs. Then I continued my way to Louis' apartments and rang the bell.
The servant opened the door. His master was in his study.
When the man announced me, Louis, who was writing, looked up and exclaimed--
"Ah, welcome! I was just writing to you. I am very glad to see you. Joseph, I am not at home to any one."
"Didn't you meet two gentlemen upon the stairs?" asked Louis, as he placed a chair.
"Did they come on behalf of M. de Chateau Renaud?"
"Ah! so he has taken this matter seriously it seems."
"He could scarcely do otherwise," replied Louis.