“Montfanon!” besought Dorsenne, rising in his turn and forcing the terrible man to be seated.

“I retract the word,” said the Baron, “if it has insulted you.  Nothing was farther from my thoughts....  I repeat that I apologize, Marquis....  But, come, tell us what you want for your client, that is very simple....  And then we will do all we can to make your demands agree with those of our client....  It is a trifling matter to be adjusted.”

“No, sir,” said Montfanon, with insolent severity, “it is justice to be rendered, which is very different.  What we, Monsieur Dorsenne and I, desire,” he continued in a severe voice, “is this:  Count Gorka has gravely insulted Monsieur Chapron.  Let me finish,” he added upon a simultaneous gesture on the part of Ardea and of Hafner.  “Yes, sirs, Monsieur Chapron, known to us all for his perfect courtesy, must have been very gravely insulted, even to make the improper gesture of which you just spoke.  But it was agreed upon between these two gentlemen, for reasons of delicacy which we had to accept—­it was agreed, I say, that the nature of the insult offered by Monsieur Gorka to Monsieur Chapron should not be divulged....  We have the right, however, and I may add the duty devolves upon us, to measure the gravity of that insult by the excess of anger aroused in Monsieur Chapron....  I conclude from it that, to be just, the plan of reconciliation, if we draw it up, should contain reciprocal concessions.  Count Gorka will retract his words and Monsieur Chapron apologize for his hastiness.”

“It is impossible,” exclaimed the Prince; “Gorka will never accept that.”

“You, then, wish to have them fight the duel?” groaned Hafner.

“And why not?” said Montfanon, exasperated.  “It would be better than for the one to nurse his insults and the other his blow.”

“Well, sirs,” replied the Baron, rising after the silence which followed that imprudent whim of a man beside himself, “we will confer again with our client.  If you wish, we will resume this conversation tomorrow at ten o’clock, say here or in any place convenient to you....  You will excuse me, Marquis.  Dorsenne has no doubt told you under what circumstances—­”

“Yes, he has told me,” interrupted Montfanon, who again glanced at the Prince, and in a manner so mournful that the latter felt himself blush beneath the strange glance, at which, however, it was impossible to feel angry.  Dorsenne had only time to cut short all other explanations by replying to Justus Hafner himself.

“Would you like the meeting at my house?  We shall have more chance to escape remarks.”

“You have done well to change the place,” said Montfanon, five minutes later, on entering the carriage with his young friend.

They had descended the staircase without speaking, for the brave and unreasonable Marquis regretted his strangely provoking attitude of the moment before.