with an inn adjoining, not very far distant from the classical tomb of
Cecilia Metella. To obtain that distance and the use of new weapons it
required the prestige with which the Marquis suddenly clothed himself in
the eyes of Gorka's seconds by pronouncing the name, still legendary in
the provinces and to the foreigner, of Gramont-Caderousse--'Sic transit
gloria mundi'! On leaving that rendezvous the excellent man really had
tears in his eyes.

"It is my fault," he moaned, "it is my fault. With that Hafner we
should have obtained such a fine official plan by mixing in a little of
ours. He offered it to us himself.... Brave Chapron! It is I who have
brought him into this dilemma!.... I owe it to him not to abandon him,
but to follow him to the end.... Here I shall be assisting at a duel, at
my age!.... Did you see how those young snobs lowered their voices when
I mentioned my encounter with poor Caderousse?.... Fifty-two years and a
month, and not to know yet how to conduct one's self! Let us go to the
Rue Leopardi. I wish to ask pardon of our client, and to give him some
advice. We will take him to one of my old friends who has a garden near
the Villa Pamphili, very secluded. We will spend the rest of the
afternoon practising.... Ah! Accursed choler! Yes, it would have been
so simple to accept the other's plan yesterday. By the exchange of two
or three words, I am sure it could have been arranged."

"Console yourself, Marquis," replied Florent, when the unhappy nobleman
had described to him the deplorable result of his negotiations. "I like
that better. Monsieur Gorka needs correction. I have only one regret,
that of not having given it to him more thoroughly.... Since I shall
have to fight a duel, I would at least have had my money's worth!"

"And you have never used a pistol?" asked Montfanon.