After dinner his wife, a rather pretty woman, presented me the bill, on which every item was reckoned at double its value.

I pointed it out to her, but she answered very curtly that she could not abate one sou.

I paid, and as the bill was receipted with the words 'femme Conde', I took the pen and to the word 'Conde' I added 'labre', and I went away leaving the bill on the table.
I was taking a walk in the Tuileries, not thinking any more of my female extortioner, when a small man, with his hat cocked on one side of his head and a large nosegay in his button-hole, and sporting a long sword, swaggered up to me and informed me, without any further explanation, that he had a fancy to cut my throat.
"But, my small specimen of humanity," I said, "you would require to jump on a chair to reach my throat.

I will cut your ears." "Sacre bleu, monsieur!" "No vulgar passion, my dear sir; follow me; you shall soon be satisfied." I walked rapidly towards the Porte de l'Etoile, where, seeing that the place was deserted, I abruptly asked the fellow what he wanted, and why he had attacked me.
"I am the Chevalier de Talvis," he answered.

"You have insulted an honest woman who is under my protection; unsheath!" With these words he drew his long sword; I unsheathed mine; after a minute or two I lunged rapidly, and wounded him in the breast.