"You gave him provocation such as no gentleman of honour could suffer.

It was not for this that I came out with you, but because you said that you wished to unravel what may be a plot." "I will cut it, which will be easier than unravelling it," Raoul replied.

"It is shorter and easier work, to finish the matter with a sword thrust, than to provide for his being swung at the end of a rope." "We had best waste no time in empty braggadocio," Philip said coldly, "but proceed at once to some quiet spot, where this matter can be settled, undisturbed." "I think the young gentleman is right," Monsieur D'Estanges, a gentleman of the court, said gravely.

"The matter has gone too far for anything else, now; and I am bound to say that your adversary, of whose name I am ignorant, has borne himself in a manner to merit my esteem; and that, as your cousin will of course act for you, I shall be happy to place my services at his disposal." "Let us get beyond the gates," Raoul said abruptly, turning on his heel, and retracing his steps up the lane to the main street.
"I thank you, sir, for offering to stand by one of whose very name you are ignorant," Philip said as, accompanied by Monsieur D'Estanges, he followed the others.

"It is, however, right that you should know it.