He soon perceived a figure at the other end, and at once recognized the chevalier, who was too thoughtful even to notice that he was passing any one. Dubois wanted a quarrel, and he saw that he must take the initiative. He turned and stopped before the chevalier, who was trying to discover which were the windows of the room in which Helene was. "My friend," said he roughly, "what are you doing at this hour before this house?" Gaston was obliged to bring back his thoughts to the materialism of life. "Did you speak to me, monsieur?" said he. "Yes," replied Dubois, "I asked what you were doing here." "Pass on," said the chevalier; "I do not interfere with you; do not interfere with me." "That might be," said Dubois, "if your presence did not annoy me." "This lane, narrow as it is, is wide enough for both, monsieur; walk on one side, and I will walk on the other." "I wish to walk alone," said Dubois, "therefore, I beg you will choose some other window; there are plenty at Rambouillet to choose from." "And why should I not look at these windows if I choose?" asked Chanlay. "Because they are those of my wife," replied Dubois.----"Of your wife!" "Yes; of my wife, who has just arrived from Paris, and of whom I am jealous, I warn you." "Diable," murmured Gaston; "he must be the husband of the person to whom Helene has been given in charge;" and in order to conciliate a person who might be useful to him-- "Monsieur," said he politely, "in that case I am willing to leave a place where I was walking without any object in view." "Oh," thought Dubois, "here is a polite conspirator; I must have a quarrel." Gaston was going away. "You are deceiving me, monsieur," said Dubois. The chevalier turned as though he had been bitten by a serpent; however, prudent for the sake of Helene, and for the mission he had undertaken, he restrained himself. "Is it," said he, "because I was polite that you disbelieve my word?" "You spoke politely because you were afraid; but it is none the less true that I saw you looking at that window." "Afraid--I afraid!" cried Chanlay, facing him; "did you say that I was afraid?" "I did," replied Dubois. "Do you, then, seek a quarrel?" "It appears so. I see you come from Quimper--Corentin." "Paques-Dieu!" said Gaston, drawing his sword, "draw!" "And you, off with your coat," said Dubois, throwing off his cloak, and preparing to do the same with his coat. "Why so?" asked the chevalier. "Because I do not know you, monsieur, and because those who walk at night frequently have their coat prudently lined with a shirt of mail." At these words the chevalier's cloak and coat were thrown aside; but, at the moment when Gaston was about to rush on his adversary, the four men appeared and seized him. "A duel, monsieur," cried they, "in spite of the king's prohibition!" and they dragged him toward the door. "An assassination," murmured Gaston, not daring to cry out, for fear of compromising Helene; "cowards!"