Florimond's face had assumed a look of horror and indignation.

"Do you dare tell me this?" he cried.

"Dare?" answered Marius, with an ugly laugh. "Men enough have died
over this affair already. That fellow Garnache left some bodies on
our hands last night before he set out for another world himself.
You little dream how far my daring goes in this matter. I'll add
as many more as need be to the death roll that we have already,
before you set foot in Condillac."

"Ah!" said Florimond, as one upon whose mind a light breaks suddenly.
"So, that is the business on which you come to me. I doubted your
brotherliness, I must confess, my dear Marius. But tell me, brother
mine, what of our father's wishes in this matter? Have you no
respect for those?"

"What respect had you?" flashed back Marius, his voice now raised
in anger. "Was it like a lover to remain away for three years - to
let all that time go by without ever a word from you to your
betrothed? What have you done to make good your claim to her?"

"Nothing, I confess; yet - "

"Well, you shall do something now," exclaimed Marius, rising. "I
am here to afford you the opportunity. If you would still win
Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye, you shall win her from me - at point
of sword. Fortunio, see to the door."