He threw up his hands in despair; but in a moment his place was taken by an unexpected disputant.
The Lieutenant, who had stood by all the time, listening and tugging at his grey moustache, suddenly spoke.
Look here, M.de Berault,' he said, confronting me roughly, 'I do not fight duels.

I am from the ranks.

I proved my courage at Montauban in '21, and my honour is good enough to take care of itself.

So I say what I like, and I ask you plainly what M.le Capitaine doubtless has in his mind, but does not ask: Are you running with the hare, and hunting with the hounds in this matter?
In other words, have you thrown up Monseigneur's commission in all but name, and become Madame's ally; or--it is the only other alternative--are you getting at the man through the women ?' 'You villain!' I cried, glaring at him in such a rage and fury that I could scarcely get the words out.

This was plain speaking with a vengeance! How dare you?
How dare you say that I am false to the hand that pays me ?' I thought that he would blench, but he did not.