Roudin had courage.

He would not say behind a man's back what he would not say to his face.
"I was just telling my friends here, m'sieu', that you was married, and you didn't acknowledge your wife.

Is that so ?" Carnac's first impulse was to say No, but he gained time by challenging.
"Why do you say such things to injure me?
Is that what Monsieur Barouche tells you to say ?" Roudin shook his head protestingly.
"If Monsieur Barouche does that he oughtn't to hold the seat, he ought to be sent back to his law offices." "No, I didn't hear it from M'sieu' Barouche.

I get it from better hands than his," answered Roudin.
"Better hands than his, eh?
From the lady herself, perhaps ?" "Yes, from the lady herself, m'sieu'." "Then bring the lady here and let us have it out, monsieur.

It's a lie.
Bring the lady here, if you know her." Roudin shrugged a shoulder.