Let me tell you that I was at Waterloo and there won a decoration." "Who are your seconds ?" asked Livius, coldly.

"Give me the names of two of your acquaintances." "My acquaintances are all peaceable working men, who would have nothing to do with so risky an affair.

I might possibly shoot down the challenger, and in that case, I should not like to make exiles of two innocent men; but if you will be so good as to choose for me two seconds from your own honourable circle, I will accept them whoever they may be." "We will let you know the time and place of the meeting at once," said Livius; and with that they took up their hats and withdrew.
"It seems to me," said Livius to Conrad, as they went away, "that that young fellow has as stout a heart as any gentleman could have." "We'll see what he's made of early to-morrow morning," returned the other.
That same evening a gorgeous silver-laced heyduke might have been seen looking for Master Boltay's workshop, and making inquiries for Alexander Barna.

There was a letter in his hand.
"Be so good as to tell me," said the heyduke in a courteous voice (a sure sign that he was accustomed to polite treatment from his superiors), "whether you used to work in Monsieur Gaudehoux's _atelier_ at Paris ?" "Yes, I did." "And three years ago you met three Hungarian gentlemen in the Ermenouville Forest, did you not ?" "Yes, I did meet them," replied Alexander, surprised that anybody should bear in mind such _minutiae_ of his past life.
"Then this letter will be meant for you," said the heyduke, delivering the letter.

"Be so good as to read it.