Monsieur Chapron, have to reply by yes or no, these gentlemen should
withdraw immediately.... It is not your fault, it is Ardea's, who has
allowed that dabbler in spurious dividends to perform his part of
intriguer.... But we will rectify all in the right way, which is the
French.... And where is the rendezvous?"

"I will read to you the letter which the Baron left for me with Florent,"
said Dorsenne, who indeed read the very courteous note Hafner had written
to him, in which he excused himself for choosing his own house as a
rendezvous for the four witnesses. "One can not ignore so polite a
note."

"There are too many dear sirs, and too many compliments," said
Montfanon, brusquely. "Sit here," he continued, relinquishing his
armchair to Florent, "and inform the two men of our names and address,
adding that we are at their service and ignoring the first inaccuracy on
their part. Let them return!.... And you, Dorsenne, since you are
afraid of wounding that gentleman, I will not prevent you from going to
his house--personally, do you hear--to warn him that Monsieur Chapron,
here present, has chosen for his first second a disagreeable person, an
old duellist, anything you like, but who desires strict form, and, first
of all, a correct call made upon us by them, in order to settle
officially upon a rendezvous."

"What did I tell you?" asked Dorsenne, when he with Florent descended
Montfanon's staircase. "He is a different man since you mentioned the
Baron to him. The discussion between them will be a hot one. I hope he
will not spoil all by his folly. On my honor, if I had guessed whom
Gorka would choose I should not have suggested to you the old leaguer,
as I call him."