My inquisitor, however, sat rigid and unaffected.

My answer had confirmed her suspicions.
"Why did you kill him ?" "Ma foi!" I replied, encouraging her thoughts, "because he sought to kill me." "Ah! And why did he seek to kill you ?" "Because I disturbed him at dinner." "Have a care how you trifle, sir!" she retorted, her eyes kindling again.
"Upon my honour, 't was no more than that.

I pulled the cloth from the table whilst he ate.

He was a quick-tempered gentleman, and my playfulness offended him.

That is all." Doubt appeared in her eyes, and it may have entered her mind that perchance her judgment had been over-hasty.
"Do you mean, sir, that you provoked a duel ?" "Alas, Madame! It had become necessary.