T., the initials of Count Timascheff.
Having entered the town, Captain Servadac made his way towards Matmore, the military quarter, and was not long in finding two friends on whom he might rely--a major of the 2nd Fusileers, and a captain of the 8th Artillery.

The two officers listened gravely enough to Servadac's request that they would act as his seconds in an affair of honor, but could not resist a smile on hearing that the dispute between him and the count had originated in a musical discussion.

Surely, they suggested, the matter might be easily arranged; a few slight concessions on either side, and all might be amicably adjusted.

But no representations on their part were of any avail.

Hector Servadac was inflexible.
"No concession is possible," he replied, resolutely.