When one charges one's self with a certain business, it is at least necessary to introduce a little form." "And I, Monsieur," replied Chapron, "would be very much obliged to you if, when you address me, you would not do so in enigmas.

I do not know what you mean by 'a certain business,' but I know that it is unbefitting a gentleman to act as you have acted at the door of a house which is not yours and for reasons that I can not comprehend." "You will comprehend them very soon, Monsieur," said Boleslas, beside himself, "and you have not constituted yourself your brother's slave without motives." He had no sooner uttered that sentence than Florent, incapable any longer of controlling himself, raised his cane with a menacing gesture, which the Polish Count arrested just in time, by seizing it in his right hand.

It was the work of a second, and the two men were again face to face, both pale with anger, ready to collar one another rudely, when the sound of a door closing above their heads recalled to them their dignity.

The servant descended the stairs.

It was Chapron who first regained his self-possession, and he said to Boleslas, in a voice too low to be heard by any one but him: "No scandal, Monsieur, eh?
I shall have the honor of sending two of my friends to you." "It is I, Monsieur," replied Gorka, "who will send you two.