Firstly, those persons high in power chose to think it my fault that the quarrel had arisen, and threatened to hang me if the duel took place and the boy were harmed.

Secondly, I myself felt a kindness for the boy.

Thirdly, because, whatever sins Heaven may record against me, it has at least ever been my way to side against men who, confident of their superiority, seek, with the cowardly courage of the strong, to harm the weak.

It is, Mademoiselle, the courage of the man who knows no fear when he strikes a woman, yet who will shake with a palsy when another man but threatens him." "Why did you not tell me all this before ?" she whispered, after a pause.
And methought I caught a quaver in her voice.
I laughed for answer, and she read my laugh aright; presently she pursued her questions and asked me the name of the boy I had defended.
But I evaded her, telling her that she must need no further details to believe me.
"It is not that, Monsieur! I do believe you; I do indeed, but--" "Hark, Mademoiselle!" I cried suddenly, as the clatter of many hoofs sounded near at hand.

"What is that ?" A shout rang out at that moment.