“Yes, sir, yes,” replied Paul, “the case stood thus, as long as I believed your sister, forgetful of the vows she had made, the fault she had committed, and even the child to which she had given birth, was seconding your ambition by her perjury. Then, I thought it would be a sufficiently bitter fate for the poor child to enter upon life without a name and without a family, not to allow him to enter it without a fortune also, and I then demanded of you, it is true, that sum in exchange for the letters in my possession. But now the state of things is altered, sir. I saw your sister throw herself upon her knees before you, I heard her entreat you not to force her into this infamous marriage, and neither prayers, nor tears, nor supplications could make any impression on your heart. It is now for me, for me who hold your honor, and the honor of your family within my hands, it is for me to save the mother from despair, as I would have saved the child from penury and misery. Those letters, sir, shall be delivered to you, when you shall, upon this table, instead of signing the marriage contract of your sister with the Baron de Lectoure, sign that of Mademoiselle Marguerite d’Auray with Anatole de Lusignan.” “Never, sir, never!” “You shall not have them, excepting on that condition, count.” “Oh! I shall, perhaps, find some mode of compiling you to return them.” “I know not any,” coldly replied Paul. “Will you, sir, deliver those letters to me!” “Count,” replied Paul, with an expression of countenance, which, under the circumstances, was perfectly inexplicable to Emanuel, “count, listen to me?” “Will you return me those letters, sir?” “Count--” “Yes, or no!” “No!” said Paul, calmly. “Well then, sir, you wear a sword, as I do; we are both gentlemen, or rather I would believe you to be such; let us leave the house together, and one of us shall return alone, and he, being unfettered and powerful from the death of the other, shall then do as he best pleases.” “I regret I cannot accept the offer, count.” “How? you wear that uniform, that cross upon your breast, by your side that sword, and you refuse a duel.” “Yes, Emanuel, I do refuse it, because I cannot raise my sword against you, count--believe me, I entreat you.” “You cannot fight with me!” “I cannot, upon my honor.” “You cannot fight with me, you say?” “At this moment a person who had entered the room without being perceived, burst into a loud laugh, close behind the two young men. Paul and Emanuel turned hastily round. Lectoure was standing close to them. “But,” said Paul, pointing to Lectoure, “I can fight with him, for he is a miserable and infamous wretch.” A burning blush passed over Lectoure’s features, like the reflection of a flame. He made a step towards Paul, and then stopped. “It is well, sir,” said he; “send your second to Emanuel and they can arrange this matter.” “You will understand that between us the affair is merely deferred,” said Emanuel, to Paul.