In coming to Choisy, the Vicomte had clearly expected to do no more than second St.Auban in the duel which he thought to see forced upon Andrea.

He now realised that if a fight there was, he might, by my presence, be forced into it.

Malpertuis looked fierce and tugged at his moustachios, whilst his companions returned Andrea's salutation--St.Auban gravely, and Vilmorin hesitatingly.
"Ha, Gaston," said the boy, advancing towards me, "our host tells me that two ladies who have been shipwrecked here wish to do me the honour of occupying my apartments for an hour or so.

Ha, there they are," he added, as the two girls came suddenly forward.

Then bowing--"Mesdames, I am enchanted to set the poor room at your disposal for as long as it may please you to honour it." As the ladies--of whose presence St.Auban had been unaware--appeared before us, I shot a glance at the Marquis, and, from the start he gave upon beholding them, I saw that things were as I had suspected.
Before they could reply to Andrea, St.Auban suddenly advanced: "Mesdemoiselles," quoth he, "forgive me if in this miserable light I did not earlier discover your presence and offer you my services.