"My dear Georget, I was very sure that you would say all that; I expected it; but be calm and listen to me. I was in this gentleman's company yesterday; I have long been looking for an opportunity. I told him what I thought of his conduct toward Violette. I demanded satisfaction for his slanders, but he refused; then I struck him in the face. The duel was instantly arranged for this morning. Now, this gentleman has the right to demand satisfaction for the outrage inflicted upon his face; if I did not fight, if I allowed you to fight in my place, I should act like a coward; and as I have never had that reputation, you will permit me not to earn it now. All that I can do, my dear Monsieur Georget, is, if I fall, to allow you to take my place and to renew the combat with this gentleman. Now it is all understood and arranged. Not a word more on that subject, for it would be useless.--But we have arrived." The carriage stopped on the outskirts of the wood; Roncherolle alighted with the two young men, Chicotin carrying the box of pistols. They looked about in all directions but saw nobody. "Is it possible that he will not come?" murmured Georget, stamping the ground impatiently. "Is he going to squeal?" said Chicotin. "There is no time wasted yet, messieurs, and his seconds may have kept him waiting.--But look, I see a carriage in the distance.--I'll wager that they're the people we expect." The carriage reached the wood and they saw Jericourt, Saint-Arthur and little Astianax at once alight from it. "_Saperlotte!_ the seconds are not big fellows," cried Chicotin; "I know 'em; both of 'em together wouldn't make one decent man. I could eat half a dozen of them without difficulty!" Roncherolle imposed silence upon Chicotin with a glance. Jericourt came forward with his two friends; Saint-Arthur acted as if he had a pain in his stomach, and little Astianax looked in both directions at once. "What does this mean?" cried Jericourt, as he scrutinized Chicotin, while Georget glared at him with flaming eyes; "what! Monsieur de Roncherolle chooses a messenger for his second? Really, I should have supposed that he could find some one better than that.--You see, messieurs, the honor that he does you, and with whom you are brought into relations!" "What's that? what's that?" cried Chicotin, turning up his sleeves; "do I hear anybody sneering at me? Ah! as I live! I'll smash the principal and his seconds in a second." "Be quiet," said Roncherolle sternly. Then, walking toward his adversary's two seconds, he said to them: