I would have met him sword in hand, but the Chevalier has the fault of the very young--he is precipitate; he was in too great a haste, and he could not wait until I got a sword.

So I was forced to do what I could with a cane." "But you provoked him," she flashed back.
"Whoever told you so has misinformed you, madame.

On the contrary, he provoked me.

He gave me the lie.

I struck him--could I do less ?--and he drew.