This was not the language of an assassin or a spy; then, holding out his hand to the chevalier, the buccaneer said, with a rough voice, "Come, clasp hands; we have been seated under the same roof, we have fought together--we are brothers." The chevalier was about to put his hand in that of the buccaneer, but he paused and said gravely, "Frankness for frankness; before giving you my hand I must tell you one thing." "What?" "I am your rival." "Rival! how is that?" "I love Blue Beard, and I am resolved at all hazards to go to her and to please her." "Clasp hands, brother." "A moment--I must say to you that when Polypheme Croustillac wishes to please, he pleases; when he pleases, one loves him; and when one loves him, one loves him madly and unto death." "Clasp hands, brother." "I will not touch your hand until you tell me if you will accept me openly for your rival?" "And if not?" "If not, break my head; you will be right in so doing. We are alone; your servant will not betray you; but I will never renounce the hope, the certainty, of pleasing Blue Beard." "Ah, this is another matter." "A last question," continued the chevalier; "You go often to Devil's Cliff?" "I go often to Devil's Cliff." "You see Blue Beard?" "I see her." "You love her?" "I love her." "She loves you?" "She loves me." "You?" "Me." "She loves you?" "To madness----" "She has told you so?" "And--Blue Beard----" "Is my mistress." "On the word of a buccaneer?" "On the word of a buccaneer." "Then," said the chevalier to himself, "there is no more discretion among barbarians than among civilized people. Who would say at the sight of such a stupid fellow, that he was a coxcomb?" Then he said aloud, "Ah, well, then, I repeat to you, break my head, for if you spare my life I shall reach Devil's Cliff; I shall do all I can to please Blue Beard, and I _shall_ please her, I warn you. So, then, once more, break my head, or resign yourself to seeing in me a rival, shortly a happy rival!" "I say to you, clasp hands, brother." "How? in spite of what I say?" "Yes." "It does not alarm you?" "No." "It is all the same to you if I go to Devil's Cliff?" "I will conduct you there, myself." "Yourself?" "To-day." "And I shall see Blue Beard?" "You shall see her as often as you wish."