Slowly it dawned on me what he meant. Slowly a tremendous indignation grew in me against the man who dared to stand before me and make that accusation. Yet I controlled myself, and merely answered in a tone as low as his, but slowly drawing my sword: "By God, you mean _her_!" "Mlle. de Varion," he answered, never quailing. Filled with a great wrath, my powers of thought for the time paralyzed, my mind capable of no perception, but that of mademoiselle's sweetness and purity opposed to this horrible charge of black treason, I could answer only: "Then the devil is no more the king of liars, unless you are the devil! Come, Monsieur de Berquin, I will show you what I think of the service you would do me!" With drawn sword in hand, I walked across the courtyard and pointed to the way leading around the side of the chateau to an open space in one part of the garden. I knew that there we should not be interrupted. As I waited for De Berquin to precede me, I chanced to look at Blaise. A strange, thoughtful expression was on his face. He, too, stood quite still. De Berquin looked at my face for a moment longer, then seemed to realize the hopelessness of his attempt to make me credit his accusation, shrugged his shoulders and said, courteously: "As you will, monsieur!" And he walked before me around the side of the chateau to the bare space in the garden. Blaise, having received no orders, did not presume to follow. We took off our doublets and other encumbrances, De Berquin raising his sheathed sword and very gracefully unsheathing by throwing the scabbard off into the air, so that it fell some distance away in the garden. Twice before that night it had been shown that I was the more skilful swordsman, yet now he stood without the least sign of fear. If he had formerly retreated, on being disarmed, it was from situations in which he had figured ridiculously, and could not endure to remain before Mademoiselle de Varion. Also, he had sought to preserve his life, so that he might have revenge. But now that events had taken their turn, he showed himself not afraid to face death. "It is a pity," I said, "that a brave man should be so great a liar." "Rather," he said, "that so brave a man"--and his look showed that he alluded to me--"should be so easily fooled; and that so fair a woman should be so vile a traitor." And, seeing that I was ready, he put himself into a posture of defence. The cup of my resentment having been already filled to overflowing, it was impossible for me to be further angered by this. But there came on me a desire to let him know that I was not as ill-informed as he had thought me; that perhaps he was the greater fool. So, holding my sword lowered, I said: "You should know, monsieur, that I am aware who undertook the task of betraying me to La Chatre." "And yet you say that I lie," he replied.