"Oh, I know well that the provocation did not entail that plate.
But what would you have me do! I held it in my hand, and, not
knowing what to do with it, I threw it at M. de Barjols' head;
it went of itself without any will of mine."

"You will not say that to him?"

"Reassure yourself; I tell you to salve your conscience."

"Very well; then you will fight?"

"That is why I have remained here, at any rate."

"What weapons?"

"That is not our affair, my lord."

"What! not our affair?"

"No; M. de Barjols is the one insulted; the choice is his."

"Then you will accept whatever he proposes?"

"Not I, Sir John, but you in my name, since you do me the honor
to act as my second."

"And if he selects pistols, what is the distance to be and how
will you fight?"

"That is your affair, my lord, and not mine. I don't know how