Part 6 (1/2)

”As I rose to go, I could not help saying that the reood looks of the woman made my conduct the more excusable

”'Yes,' he said; 'at least she is handsome, but--' and here he paused and then added, 'I hope before long to have the pleasure of presenting you to my wife'

”I thanked hio on It is clear that the woer to catch her, and especially at that ti foiled, he lost his temper; that he believes you, or makes believe to do so; and, finally, that he is sensible enough to know that a duel with an American secretary is undesirable

You let him off easy”

”I did, but I had the sa that he has Moreover, he is really a charize”

”But about the wo--”

”Oh, the woain”

”You will That fellow Alphonse will find her”

”I hope not But what a hed Merton ”The mosquitoes illustrate the proverb: only the females bite Good, that, isn't it? But what next? I interrupted you You are out of it, but where do I come in? What about Porthos and that little red weasel Arahed

”If you like, Greville You are complimentary Was that all?”

”No The count said, 'I will at once write to Captain Merton and apologize, but I fancy my friends have already done so' I was about to take leave of the count when in walked the baron, behind the biggest mustache in Paris, a ponderous person 'Shade of Dumas!' I muttered; 'Porthos! Porthos!' Behind him was a much-made-up little fellow, the colonel--your Aramis”

”Oh, drop hiible quantity What next?”

”The count said, 'Allow ation--the Baron la Garde, my cousin, and the Colonel St Pierre'

We bowed, and the count said, 'M Greville is somewhat concerned in the affair in which you have been so kind as to act for entleain and sat dohile the count added: 'You may speak freely I suppose M

Merton explained that he was not the person'”

”Oh, by all that's jolly! what a situation for the stage! A match, please What next?”

”The baron spoke first 'I do not understand you, my dear count'

”The count said: 'Why not? It was very siretted the ized and came away to report to me I am sorry to have sent you on a fruitless errand Kindly tell us what passed'

”The colonel sat up, and, as I thought, was a little embarrassed He said: 'With your permission, baron, I shall have the honor to relate our conversation We put the matter, count, as you desired You had been insulted What explanation had M Merton to offer? Then this a American said that it was not true that he had insulted you; that he had not given you his card; that he had never seen you; that it was a droll mistake--”that you were unfortunate in your friends” I think I am correct, baron?'

”'Yes I so understood it'

”'Then you said, as I recall it, baron, that--that--there was only one word to apply to a man who could insult another and try to escape the consequences Then he said--well, to cut it short, he would send his friends to us, and that, as he was the challenged party, it would save time if he now declared it must be rifles--or revolvers--or, yes, what he called bowie What that is I know not'”

”Lovely!” murmured Merton ”Go on”