The stranger who had just joined us, could not help remarking our looks
of satisfaction at the choice of ground, and observed to me--

"This is not the first affair that this little spot has witnessed; and
the moulinet of St. Cloud is, I think, the very best 'meet' about Paris."

Trevanion who, during these few minutes, had been engaged with Derigny,
now drew me aside.

"Well, Lorrequer, have you any recollection now of having seen your
opponent before? or can you make a guess at the source of all this?"

"Never till this instant," said I, "have I beheld him," as I looked
towards the tall, stoutly-built figure of my adversary, who was very
leisurely detaching a cordon from his tightly fitting frock, doubtless to
prevent its attracting my aim.

"Well, never mind, I shall manage every thing properly. What can you do
with the small sword, for they have rapiers at the mill?"

"Nothing whatever; I have not fenced since I was a boy."

"N'importe--then we'll fight at a barriere. I know they're not prepared
for that from Englishmen; so just step on one side now, and leave me to
talk it over."

As the limited nature of the ground did not permit me to retire to a
distance, I became involuntarily aware of a dialogue, which even the
seriousness of the moment could scarcely keep me from laughing at
outright.