"Leave me, gentlemen, I repeat to you, you are addressing the wrong person." These words, pronounced by the young bachelor in a manner which left no doubt as to his sex, produced the effect of a head of Medusa on the four young noblemen: they remained motionless for a moment, then they all burst into a shout of laughter, crying: "It's a man. What a unique adventure." "Yes, gentlemen, it is a man," answered Urbain. "I hope now that you will allow me to continue on my way." "As for me, I will no longer oppose you," said one of the strangers. "Come, Villebelle," resumed another, "let the boy go. You can see very well he's not a girl. I believe, deuce take it, that the wine we've drunk didn't allow the marquis to see our mistake. Isn't that so, chevalier?" "Yes, yes, indeed, gentlemen," answered the Marquis de Villebelle; for it was that nobleman himself, who, as he had said to the barber, made merry with his friends by seeking spicy adventures in the streets of the capital. With a head excited by wines and liqueurs, the marquis, always the leader in the follies and extravagances committed in these escapades, had pressed Urbain most closely, and on the latter making himself known had continued to hold the young bachelor. "A moment, my boy," said he, stopping Urbain. "We know you're not a girl, that's all very well; but, by all the devils! in this disguise you must necessarily have had some very comical adventures; recount them to us, 't will amuse us, and afterwards you shall be free to go your way." "Yes, yes," repeated the others; "he must tell us why he's dressed up like a woman." "I must really tell this adventure at the cardinal's little levee tomorrow morning. "And I must tell it to Marion Delorme. I'll have Bois-Robert put it into verse for the court." "Colletel shall turn it into a comedy. Come, speak on." "Yet, once more, gentlemen, allow me to go on my way; by what right do you interrogate me? I have nothing to say to you, and I wish to depart." Saying these words, he endeavored to repulse the marquis anew, but the latter barred the way and drew his sword, crying,-- "Upon my honor, this little goodman is very fractious. It's really too droll. You shall speak or we will make you jump under our swords like a spaniel." "Insolent fellow," exclaimed Urbain, furiously; "had I a weapon you had not dared to use such language to me, or I should already have chastised you." "Truly? Oh, hang it. I should like to see how you handle a sword. Come, chevalier, lend him yours." "What, Villebelle, you wish it?" "Yes, undoubtedly, a duel with a peasant--that will be a joke." "Come, gentlemen, make a circle." So saying, the marquis took a sword from one of his companions and presented it to Urbain. "Hold," said he, "here's a weapon, defend yourself. Guard yourself, girl-boy, and let us see if you are as brave as you're stubborn."