"Rossini has been deeply injured, and I cannot suffer the injury to be unavenged.

Wagner is a fool.

I shall keep my word.

I am quite firm." "Be it so, then," replied one of the officers; "and after all, you know, a sword-cut need not be a very serious affair." "Certainly not," rejoined Servadac; "and especially in my case, when I have not the slightest intention of being wounded at all." Incredulous as they naturally were as to the assigned cause of the quarrel, Servadac's friends had no alternative but to accept his explanation, and without farther parley they started for the staff office, where, at two o'clock precisely, they were to meet the seconds of Count Timascheff.

Two hours later they had returned.