If you were to kill me, in a duel or otherwise, what good would my blood do you?
can you drink it?
At this moment it would poison you." The cold reasoning of the man, together with a feeling of eager curiosity, calmed Savinien's anger.

He fixed his eyes on Goupil with a look which made that moral deformity writhe.
"Who set you at this work ?" said the young man.
"Will you swear ?" "What,--to do you no harm ?" "I wish that you and Mademoiselle Mirouet should not forgive me." "She will forgive you,--I, never!" "But at least you will forget ?" What terrible power the reason has when it is used to further self-interest.

Here were two men, longing to tear one another in pieces, standing in that courtyard within two inches of each other, compelled to talk together and united by a single sentiment.
"I will forgive you, but I shall not forget." "The agreement is off," said Goupil coldly.

Savinien lost patience.

He applied a blow upon the man's face which echoed through the courtyard and nearly knocked him down, making Savinien himself stagger.
"It is only what I deserve," said Goupil, "for committing such a folly.
I thought you more noble than you are.