You have had a discussion in the street with Monsieur Gorka, but about what?
You can not reply?
What did he say to you to provoke you to the point of wishing to strike him?
That is the first key to the position." "I can not reply," said Florent.
"Then," resumed the Marquis, after a silence, "there only remains to assert that the gesture on your part was--how shall I say?
Unmeditated and unfinished.

That is the second key to the position....

You have no special grudge against Monsieur Gorka ?" "None." "Nor he against you ?" "None." "The affair looks better," said Montfanon, who was silent for a time, to resume, in the voice of a man who is talking to himself, "Count Gorka considers himself offended?
But is there any offence?
It is that which we should discuss....

An assault or the threat of an assault would afford occasion for an arrangement....

But a gesture restrained, since it was not carried into effect....