I desire to say a few words in your presence to Monsieur Dorsenne." "I am at your service, Gorka," replied Julien, who did not suspect the hostile intention of his old friend.

He did not divine the form which that hostility was about to take, but he had always upon his mind his word of honor falsely given, and he was prepared to answer for it.
"It will not take much time, sir," continued Boleslas, still with the same insolently formal politeness, "you know we have an account to settle....

But as I have some cause not to believe in the validity of your honor, I should like to remove all cause of evasion." And before any one could interfere in the unheard-of proceedings he had raised his glove and struck Dorsenne in the face.

As Gorka spoke, the writer turned pale.

He had not the time to reply to the audacious insult offered him by a similar one, for the three witnesses of the scene cast themselves between him and his aggressor.