Roncherolle took his box of pistols, which seemed to puzzle Chicotin greatly. Georget went out first, walked to the stairs cautiously, then motioned to them that they might go down. All three were soon at the door, which was kept by Mirontaine only; he barked when anybody came in, but never when they went out. Monsieur de Roncherolle entered the cab, told Georget and Chicotin to enter with him, although the latter declared that he would be quite as comfortable behind, and bade the coachman take them to the Porte Saint-Mande, by the Vincennes road. "Oho! we are going to the country," cried Chicotin; "we shan't find much shade there!" "I can tell you now, messieurs, why I have brought you with me," said Roncherolle. "It is for the purpose of being my seconds; for I have a duel on hand, I am going to fight a duel with pistols this morning." "You are going to fight?" cried Georget, deeply moved. "Yes, my friend; if I had told you that beforehand, would you have refused to come with me?" "Oh, no! on the contrary, I would have begged you to take me." "I was sure of it beforehand, young man." "And I too, bourgeois; I like fights! they just suit me! But what are we two going to fight with? We haven't any weapons; are we to fight with fists? I like that too." "No, not with fists or anything else; you are my seconds, and you will not be called upon to fight at all." "So much the worse! of what use shall we be then?" "To affirm the innocence of a young girl whom I hope to avenge. I am going to fight with Monsieur Jericourt." "With Monsieur Jericourt?" cried Georget; "with that man who laid the trap for Violette and then slandered her so abominably?" "Just so; do you consider that I am doing wrong?" "Oh, monsieur! what good fortune! that Jericourt! I have been looking for him everywhere, and haven't found him. But you are not the one who's going to fight with him, monsieur; I am; for I am the man whom he insulted most cruelly; I am the man whom he injured most; I am to be the husband of the woman whom he tried to dishonor. You must see, monsieur, that I am the one who must fight with him."