358                            PARIS  IN AMERICA.
" I," I exclaimed
" Be tranquil," said the colonel ; " I have given him
his answer ; he is reasonable. I have arranged the
matter."
" Very well."
" You are to fight."
" We are to fight ?" said I, greatly astonished. " And
when ?"
" At once. En chaude colle, as they used to say in
the regiment. Nothing is so dangerous as to let these
things get cold. By waiting twenty-four hours, I have
lost ten opportunities. My carriage is below ; we can
set out immediately. I have excellent pistols ; you will
be delighted with them. At thirty paces I carried away
the ear of a jackanapes with them who looked at me
askance under the pretext that he squinted. Come,
my brave fellow, the moments are numbered. On our
way, sacrebleu !"
" In a moment I am yours," replied I.
" You are going to embrace your wife and children.
A bad plan ; it excites you and makes your hand trem-
ble. No tragic adieus; drink a glass of Madeira and
smoke a couple of cigars ; that will raise your courage
and steady your wrist."
I had no occasion to raise my courage, I was beside
myself with anger. I entered the drawing room ; Jenny
was there, pale and speechless, with her children clasped
to her breast ; they had heard all.
" Are you going with the doctor ?" said Jenny, in a
despairing tone.
" Yes, my dear; I shall probably be absent a few days."
" You will soon return," said she ; then paused, as if
affrighted.