the weight of his authority and of his social position between the
bickering adversaries.

"Tush, man!" he said impatiently, turning more especially towards
Chauvelin, "you talk at random. Sir Percy Blakeney is an English
gentleman, and the laws of this country do not admit of duelling, as you
understand it in France; and I for one certainly could not allow ..."

"Pardon, your Royal Highness," interrupted Sir Percy with irresistible
bonhomie, "your Highness does not understand the situation. My
engaging friend here does not propose that I should transgress the laws
of this country, but that I should go over to France with him, and fight
him there, where duelling and ... er ... other little matters of that sort are
allowed."

"Yes! quite so!" rejoined the Prince, "I understand M. Chauvelin's desire.
... But what about you, Blakeney?"

"Oh!" replied Sir Percy lightly, "I have accepted his challenge, of
course!"





Chapter XII : Time--Place--Conditions



It would be very difficult indeed to say why--at Blakeney's lightly spoken