"Here, this is all I can do for you! I expect you all to-morrow morning. My friend Blanquette[C] of veal will give you my address. Bring pistols, sabres, swords, what you please. I shall have nothing but a rabbit's tail, understand, and with that rabbit's tail I defy you all!" This heroic challenge seemed to calm the wrath of his adversaries to some extent. But, while they were staring at one another, a little, bald man darted forward and picked up the glove. "That's my glove," he cried; "I recognize it; it's the left-hand glove that I lost; it has been mended on the thumb; this is the very one!" Cherami did not hear Monsieur Courbichon. He left the ballroom, passed rapidly through the cardroom, and, taking a hat from a nail and a cane from a corner, left the last of the rooms and descended the stairs, saying to himself: "I snap my fingers at them. I'm not sorry I went to that party. I have my cue!" And Cherami patted the pocket in which were the gold pieces he had won at ecarte. At the foot of the staircase, he saw several ladies standing, waiting for their carriages; they were guests of the party on the first floor, just leaving the ball. In a moment, another young couple appeared, and one of the ladies said to another: "What does this mean? the bride going away already?" "Yes, I believe she doesn't feel very well." "Aha! that's the bride, who goes so early!" cried Cherami, putting his head forward. "Yes! it's she! it's the faithless Fanny! I recognize her." These words were hardly out of his mouth, when the husband, who had his wife on his arm, left her abruptly, looked about, and rushed up to Cherami, to whom he said in a voice that trembled with emotion: "Was it you who just spoke, monsieur?" "What's that! Suppose it was? Well, yes, I did speak. Do you mean to say that it isn't my right?" "Was it you who said: 'It's the faithless Fanny'?" "Yes, pardieu! it was. Oh! I never deny my words." "This is neither the time nor the place for an explanation, monsieur; but I will call on you to-morrow, and, if you're not a coward, you will give me satisfaction." "I, a coward! Arthur Cherami, a coward! Well, well! that's a good one! And I have just challenged the whole Blanquette wedding party! I am always ready to fight with whatever anyone chooses--from a pin to a cannon, I'm your man!" "We will see about that to-morrow. Your address?" "There it is. I always carry a card about me with a view to affairs of this sort." Monleard took the soiled yellow card which Cherami drew from his pocket, and hastened after his wife, who was already in the carriage. This little scene had taken place so rapidly that the persons who were standing had been able to catch only a few words. The carriage which contained the newly married pair drove away. Cherami looked about for a cab, and having finally found one, jumped in, and called out to the driver: