"And _I_ don't mean to give it." "But give it you shall, sir, by ----." "It is plain you understand catching rabbits and dressing their skins better than conversing with gentlemen," said the stranger, as with a supercilious smile he turned away. "Stay, sir," cried the old gentleman, peremptorily, "or I shall slip my dog upon you." "If you do, I'll shoot him." "You have insulted me, sir. You wear a _couteau de chasse_--so do I. Destiny condemns the Visconte de Charrebourg to calamity, but not to insult. Draw your sword." "The Visconte de Charrebourg!" echoed Dubois, in amazement. "Yes, sir--the Visconte de Charrebourg, who will not pocket an affront because he happens to have lost his revenues." Who would have thought that any process could possibly have metamorphosed the gay and magnificent courtier, of whose splendid extravagance Dubois had heard so many traditions, into this grotesque old savage. "There are some houses, and foremost among the number that of Charrebourg," said the young man, with marked deference, raising his hat, "which no loss of revenue can possibly degrade, and which, associated with the early glories of France, gain but a profounder title to our respect, when their annals and descent are consecrated by the nobility of suffering." Nebuchadnezzar smiled. "I entreat that Monsieur le Visconte will pardon what has passed under a total ignorance of his presence." The Visconte bowed, and resumed, gravely but more placidly-- "I must then return to my question, and ask your name." "I am called Dubois, sir." "Dubois! hum! I don't recollect, Monsieur Dubois, that I ever had the honor of being acquainted with your family." "Possibly not, sir." "However, Monsieur Dubois, you appear to be a gentleman, and I ask you, as the father of the noble young lady who has just left you, whether you have established with her any understanding such as I ought not to approve--in short, any understanding whatsoever?" "None whatever, on the honor of a gentleman. I introduced myself to Mademoiselle de Charrebourg, but she has desired that our acquaintance shall cease, and _her_ resolution upon the subject is, of course, decisive. On the faith of a gentleman, you have there the entire truth frankly stated." "Well, Monsieur Dubois, I believe you," said the Visconte, after a steady gaze of a few seconds; "and I have to add a request, which is this--that, unless through me, the acquaintance may never be sought to be renewed. Farewell, sir. Come along, Jonquil!" he added, with an admonition of his foot, addressed to the ugly old brute who had laid himself down. And so, with a mutual obeisance, stiff and profound, Monsieur Dubois and the Visconte de Charrebourg departed upon their several ways.