"It seems to me," he said, turning to Grush-
nitski, "that as you have both shown your readi-
ness to fight, and thereby paid the debt due to
the conditions of honour, you might be able to
come to an explanation and finish the affair
amicably."

"I am ready," I said.

The captain winked to Grushnitski, and the
latter, thinking that I was losing courage, assumed
a haughty air, although, until that moment, his
cheeks had been covered with a dull pallor. For
the first time since our arrival he lifted his eyes
on me; but in his glance there was a certain
disquietude which evinced an inward struggle.

"Declare your conditions," he said, "and
anything I can do for you, be assured" . . .

"These are my conditions: you will this very
day publicly recant your slander and beg my
pardon" . . .

"My dear sir, I wonder how you dare make such
a proposal to me?"

"What else could I propose?" . . .

"We will fight."