"I was introduced at D'Harmonville's ball. Yes; quite a nobleman of the old school; and it seems a pity that you should bear him any grudge on account of the unfortunate fact that Baron Imhoff----" "I don't. I don't hold him responsible for the fact that Baron Imhoff killed my father. I have no grudge against him." "I am glad to hear that," said the Vicomte; and two days later he invited Von Lichtenberg to dinner with me! I did not come to that dinner. I was a living man with a will of my own. (How that phrase haunts me like satiric laughter!) I would pursue my own course; and no dead Fate would drag me against my will, or move me to another purpose except my own. I dined at the Café de Paris with a friend, and as I was coming away whom should I meet but my old enemy the Comte de Coigny! This gentleman was flushed with wine; he was descending the stairs with two ladies, and when he saw me he started. We had not spoken for years, yet he came forward to introduce himself. When we had exchanged a few platitudes, he turned to the matter that was evidently the motive-power of his civility. "I am surprised to see you here to-night," said he, "for my friend M. le Baron von Lichtenberg told me he was to dine with you." "He told you wrong." "Ah! just so. I thought there was some mistake; he would scarcely be dining with you after the affair at the Mirlitons." "M. de Coigny," I replied, "I know of nothing that gives you the warrant to introduce yourself into my private affairs. I dine where I choose, do what I please; and should anyone question my actions they do so at their own peril." Then I turned on my heel and left the café with my friend. "Another man would send you his seconds in reply to that," said my friend. "And why not De Coigny?" "Oh, he is a coward. But he is also a bad man. Be on your guard, for he will try to do you an evil turn." I laughed, and told him of the occurrence when, years ago, I had made De Coigny's nose to bleed in the gardens of the Hôtel de Morny. "All the same," replied he, "be on your guard." Next day I had a very unpleasant interview with my guardian. I had not only insulted Von Lichtenberg, it seems, but I had also hit the convenances a foul blow. Hit them below the belt, in fact. "Ah, yes," said the old gentleman, "I try to do the best for you, and see your return! In my own house, too! And to receive the message that you were dining out only an hour before he was expected, giving me no time to make excuses!" "What did he say?" I asked. "Say!" burst out M. le Vicomte. "He said nothing. Ah, if I had been in his place! But, no. He only looked sad and depressed. Had he been a girl instead of a man, a girl in love with you, monsieur, he could not have taken the matter with more quietness or with more sad restraint. Say! Ah, yes, I will tell you what he said, what we said. I will give you the dialogue: "'I had hoped to meet someone else.' That was what he said.