The remark sobered him, and brought to his mind his own suspicions of yesternight, which his present anger had for the moment lulled.

Still, he conceived that he had gone too far to extricate himself.

But he could at least see to it that he was not drawn away from the place that sheltered mademoiselle.

And so he stepped forward, joining Courthon and Gaubert, to insist that the combat should take place in the inn--either in the common room or in the yard.

But the landlord, overhearing this, protested loudly that he could not consent to it.