_Clarkson_--No, not at all. I can understand revenge on those who have injured us, but not on those who haven't done so. And I don't like vengeance on a woman anyway, even when she is guilty; and certainly not when she is innocent; and you owe your wife a great deal--between ourselves, you owe your wife a great deal, duke. I understand now why, for once, your father-in-law M. Mauriceau sides with his daughter and M. Gérard against you. He is sure they both are innocent. By-the-by, does M. Mauriceau also know of this letter? _Septmonts_--Yes. He even tried to take it from me by force. _Clarkson_--Why did he not take it? _Septmonts_--Ah, because you see, I had the presence of mind to tell him that I did not have it any longer--that I had sent it to you! _Clarkson_ [_ironically_]--That _was_ very clever! _Septmonts_--And then when M. Gérard had challenged me, M. Mauriceau thought he would make an impression by saying to him before me, "I will be your second." _Clarkson_--Well, is that the whole story? _Septmonts_--Yes. _Clarkson_--Very well, my dear sir: to speak frankly, all those people whom you characterize so slightingly seem to me the right kind of people--excellent people. Your little wife seems to be the victim of prejudices, of morals, and of combinations about which we mere American savages don't know anything at all. In our American society, which of course I can't compare with yours, as we only date from yesterday,--if Mademoiselle Mauriceau had loved a fine young fellow like M. Gérard, her father would have given her to the man she loved; or if he had refused that, why she would have gone quite simply and been married before the justice of the peace! Perhaps her father wouldn't have portioned her; but then the husband would have worked, gone into business, and the two young people would have been happy all the same. As to your M. Gérard here, he is an honest man and a clever one. We like people who work, we Americans, and to whatever country they belong, we hold them as compatriots--because we are such savages, I suppose. So you understand that I don't at all share your opinion of this question. _Septmonts_--And so speaking, you mean--? _Clarkson_--That if I give you this explanation, it is because I think I understand that in paying me the honor of choosing me as a second, you thought that the men of my country were less clear-sighted, less scrupulous than the men of yours. In short, duke, you thought I would lend my hand to all these social pettinesses, these little vilenesses which you have just recounted with a candor that honors you. _Septmonts_--Do you happen to remember, Mr. Clarkson, that you are talking to _me_--in this way? _Clarkson_--To you. Because there are only two of us here! But if you like, we will call in other people to listen. _Septmonts_--Then, sir, you tell me to my face--