"Since you have the force to compel us to listen to you, let me beg that you will at least display the generosity of detaining us no longer than you need." "I will be as brief as it lies within the possibility of words," answered Caron coldly.

"I am come, Citizen Bellecour, to demand of you to-day the satisfaction which four years ago you refused me." "Of me ?" cried the Marquis.
"Through the person of your son, the Vicomte, as I asked for it four years ago," said Caron.

"You are am old man, Citizen, and I do not fight old men." "I am yet young enough to cut you into ribbons, you dog, if I were minded to dishonour myself by meeting you." And turning to Ombreval for sympathy, he vented a low laugh of contemptuous wonder.
"Insolence!" sneered Ombreval sympathetically, whilst Mademoiselle stood looking on with cheeks that were growing paler, for that this event would end badly for either her father or her brother she never doubted.
"Citizen Bellecour," said Caron, still very coldly, "you have heard what I propose, as have you also, Citizen-vicomte." "For myself," began the youth "I am--" "Silence, Armand!" his father commanded, laying a hand upon his sleeve.

"Understand me, citizen-deputy, or citizen-commissioner, or citizen-blackguard or whatever you call your vile self, you are come on a fruitless journey to Bellecour.

Neither I nor my son is so lost to the duty which we owe our rank as to so much as dream of acceding to your preposterous request.