I am ready now." Then, a smile on his lips, his hair lifted by the evening breeze, unconcerned as if this were an ordinary promenade, while his opponent, on the contrary, took all the precaution usual in such a case, Roland advanced straight toward M.de Barjols.
Sir John's face, despite his ordinary impassibility, betrayed a profound anxiety.

The distance between the opponents lessened rapidly.

M.de Barjols halted first, took aim, and fired when Roland was but ten paces from him.
The ball clipped one of Roland's curls, but did not touch him.

The young man turned toward his second: "Well," said he, "what did I tell you ?" "Fire, monsieur, fire!" said the seconds.
M.de Barjols stood silent and motionless on the spot where he had fired.
"Pardon me, gentlemen," replied Roland; "but you will, I hope, permit me to be the judge of the time and manner of retaliating.

Since I have felt M.de Barjols' shot, I have a few words to say to him which I could not say before." Then, turning to the young aristocrat, who was pale and calm, he said: "Sir, perhaps I was somewhat too hasty in our discussion this morning." And he waited.
"It is for you to fire, sir," replied M.de Barjols.
"But," continued Roland, as if he had not heard, "you will understand my impetuosity, and perhaps excuse it, when you hear that I am a soldier and General Bonaparte's aide-de-camp." "Fire, sir," replied the young nobleman.
"Say but one word of retraction, sir," resumed the young officer.