He owed it to himself, to his honour, to be killed rather than avoid the consequences of the thing he had done.
"But he does not wear a sword, messieurs!" cried Andre Louis, aghast.
"That is easily amended.

He may have the loan of mine." "I mean, messieurs," Andre-Louis insisted, between fear for his friend and indignation, "that it is not his habit to wear a sword, that he has never worn one, that he is untutored in its uses.

He is a seminarist--a postulant for holy orders, already half a priest, and so forbidden from such an engagement as you propose." "All that he should have remembered before he struck a blow," said M.de Chabrillane, politely.
"The blow was deliberately provoked," raged Andre-Louis.

Then he recovered himself, though the other's haughty stare had no part in that recovery.

"O my God, I talk in vain! How is one to argue against a purpose formed! Come away, Philippe.