"All this seems to me sheer madness, but, at all events, I have witnesses to prove that you have been laughing at me, for you stated that you had seen me at that battle, and, by the powers! it is not possible, because I was not there. At all events, I demand satisfaction." "So do I, and we have equal rights, if mine are not even better than yours, for your witnesses are likewise mine, and these gentlemen will assert that you said that you had seen me at Rodela, and, by the powers! it is not possible, for I was not there." "Well, I may have made a mistake." "So may I, and therefore we have no longer any claim against one another." The commander, who was biting his lips to restrain his mirth, said to him, "My dear sir, I do not see that you have the slightest right to demand satisfaction, since this gentleman confesses, like you, that he might have been mistaken." "But," remarked the officer, "is it credible that he was at the battle of Arbela?" "This gentleman leaves you free to believe or not to believe, and he is at liberty to assert that he was there until you can prove the contrary. Do you wish to deny it to make him draw his sword?" "God forbid! I would rather consider the affair ended." "Well, gentlemen," said the commander, "I have but one more duty to perform, and it is to advise you to embrace one another like two honest men." We followed the advice with great pleasure. The next day, the Provencal, rather crestfallen, came to share my dinner, and I gave him a friendly welcome. Thus was ended that comic adventure, to the great satisfaction of M. de la Haye. CHAPTER IV I Receive Good News From Venice, to Which City I Return with De la Haye and Bavois--My Three Friends Give Me a Warm Welcome; Their Surprise at Finding Me a Model of Devotion--Bavois Lures Me Back to My Former Way of Living--De la Haye a Thorough Hypocrite--Adventure with the Girl Marchetti--I Win a Prize in the Lottery--I Meet Baletti--De la Haye Leaves M. de Bragadin's Palace--My Departure for Paris Whilst De la Haye was every day gaining greater influence over my weakened mind, whilst I was every day devoutly attending mass, sermons, and every office of the Church, I received from Venice a letter containing the pleasant information that my affair had followed its natural course, namely, that it was entirely forgotten; and in another letter M. de Bragadin informed me that the minister had written to the Venetian ambassador in Rome with instructions to assure the Holy Father that Baron Bavois would, immediately after his arrival in Venice, receive in the army of the Republic an appointment which would enable him to live honourably and to gain a high position by his talents. That letter overcame M. de la Haye with joy, and I completed his happiness by telling him that nothing hindered me from going back to my native city.