"I, my dear friend! I do not need to tell you how fond I am of you; and certainly--I wish the affair might be settled amicably. Friends ought not to fall out!--Monsieur de Witcheritche, we ought not to allow these gentlemen to fight." The baron seemed much more deeply interested in something that he had in his pocket than in our combat, and to no purpose did Vauvert, with tears in his eyes, strive frantically to make him understand that it was their duty to reconcile Raymond and myself. But my neighbor was obstinate. "I intend to fight," he said; "nobody shall insult me with impunity! I have seen Monsieur Gerville, and I know that he did not dine with you and Agathe; I need say no more! And my silhouette on the wall--that was a betrayal of confidence! You must give me satisfaction, Monsieur Dorsan; this affair will make a sensation." "Oh! bless my soul, neighbor, I am at your service! Let us get through with it, for it is going to rain, and I shall be distressed to have these gentlemen get wet, and especially madame la baronne, who is under the trees." "I am the insulted party; I have the choice of weapons." "That is true." "I am very skilful with the sword; I have taken lessons from the most expert teacher in Paris; but I will not fight with anything but pistols, because I don't wish to make an unfair use of my advantages." "That is very generous on your part; I divined your purpose and brought some pistols along." As I spoke, I took mine from my pocket; I saw that Raymond was disturbed and changed color; then he produced a pair of great holster pistols and showed them to me. "That's all right," said I; "each of us will have his own pistols." "No, no! put yours back in your pocket; we must use mine. You understand what an advantage I should have in using one of my pistols against one of yours, which are two inches shorter." "Your behavior is truly noble. Very well, since you insist upon it." "I do, monsieur; besides, I have the choice of weapons, and I fight with none but my own." "Very well; let us call our friends to load them." I turned to look for Vauvert, who, as soon as we produced our pistols, had walked away in the direction of the highroad and could with difficulty be induced to come near us. "The pistols are loaded," said Raymond; "I always look after that in advance." "Ordinarily, my dear neighbor, that is the duty of the seconds." "Oh! but I don't trust anybody but myself with that. Besides, my friend Witcheritche has examined them;--isn't that so, monsieur le baron?"