Part 74 (2/2)
After a few minutes, annoyed to find that his visitor did not take his leave, the count turned over and sat up in bed.
”I say, monsieur,” he exclaimed testily, ”do you intend to pa.s.s the day in my bedroom? Do me the favor to go away and let me sleep.”
”And do you, monsieur le comte, do me the favor to cover yourself with the bedclothes again; you'll take cold.”
”A truce to jesting, monsieur! I have told you that I would not fight with you; I repeat it. There is nothing to keep you here, therefore.”
”O my dear Monsieur de la Beriniere--I believe that is your name, De la Beriniere, is it not?”
”Yes, monsieur; that is my name.”
”My dear Monsieur de la Beriniere, when I take it into my head to do a thing, I a.s.sure you that it has to be done. I have promised myself to fight with you--unless, however, you give me your word of honor to renounce your project of marrying Auguste Monleard's widow. In that case, I am content. Does that suit you?”
”On my word, this is too much!”
”What is it that's too much?”
”You disgust me,[E] monsieur!”
”Do I, indeed? Gad! you are not to be pitied, in such weather as this.
So you won't give her up?”
”What do you take me for, in G.o.d's name?”
”Then you agree to fight?”
”Go to the devil!”
”In that case, I must resort to decisive measures.”
And Cherami, raising his switch, caused it to whistle about the count's ears, but without touching him; that manoeuvring sufficed, however, to make Monsieur de la Beriniere straighten himself up and cry, in a furious rage:
”You are a villain, monsieur!”
”Aha! you're awake at last, are you?”
”You will give me satisfaction for this indecent behavior, monsieur!”
”That is just what I have been asking you for, for the past hour.”
”Leave your address; my seconds will call upon you to-morrow at eight o'clock; see that yours are there, also.”
Cherami scratched his ear, muttering:
”My seconds! Do we need any seconds? Why not settle the business at once, between ourselves?”
”Oho! monsieur, so you never have fought a duel?”
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