'Messieurs de la Garde Francaise,' was a good beginning; the remainder gave him a false air of a masquerader, most uncomfortable to see; it was Nevil Beauchamp in moustache and imperial, and bagbreeches badly fitting.

He tried English, which was really himself, and all that heart could desire, supposing he addressed a body of midshipmen just a little loftily.

But the English, when translated, was bald and blunt to the verge of offensiveness.
'GENTLEMEN OF THE FRENCH GUARD, 'I take up the glove you have tossed us.

I am an Englishman.
That will do for a reason.' This might possibly pass with the gentlemen of the English Guard.

But read: 'MESSIEURS DE LA GARDE FRANCAISE, 'J'accepte votre gant.