United States or Turkey ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"You should have thought of that before you rolled Monsieur Sanguinetti in the mud," he answered coldly. "I will tender him my apologies for that," Garnache promised, swallowing hard, "and if he still insists upon a meeting he shall have it in, say, a month's time." "I cannot permit " began Courthon, very fiercely.
"I sought to do the best for my principal. As it is, I wash my hands of all responsibility, and by all means let us engage, sirs." They disposed themselves accordingly, Gaubert engaging Courthon, on Garnache's right hand, and Garnache himself falling on guard to receive the attack of Sanguinetti.
"That is an office that my friend can do for me," interposed Sanguinetti, and thereupon Courthon departed, to return presently with a borrowed weapon of the proper length. At last it seemed that they might proceed with the business upon which they were come; but Garnache was wrong in so supposing. A discussion now arose between Gaubert and Courthon as to the choice of spot.
At that Garnache, now thoroughly on his guard! was for putting off the encounter. "Monsieur Courthon," said he and he felt a flush of shame mounting to his brow, and realized that it may need more courage to avoid an encounter than to engage in one "there is something that in the heat of passion I forgot; something that renders it difficult for me to meet your friend at present."
The crowd disposed itself on the fringe of the sward, and the duellists went forward, and set about the preparations. Principals and seconds threw off cloak and doublet, and Sanguinetti, Courthon, and Gaubert removed their heavy boots, whilst Garnache did no more than detach the spurs from his. Sanguinetti, observing this, drew the attention of the others to it, and an altercation arose.
Accordingly they set out, Sanguinetti and Courthon going first, and Garnache following with Gaubert; the rear being brought up by a regiment of rabble, idlers and citizens, that must have represented a very considerable proportion of the population of Grenoble. This audience heartened Garnache, to whom some measure of reflection had again returned.
"Look you, Monsieur Gaubert," said Garnache quietly, "your opponent will be Monsieur Courthon, and since he is in his stockinged feet, there is no reason why you yourself should not remain so too. As for me, I retain my boots, and Monsieur Sanguinetti may have all the advantage that may give him. Since I am content, in Heaven's name let the fight go forward. I am in haste."
But having chosen the Champs aux Capuchins, it was idle to expect that one stretch of turf would prove firmer than another. Wearied at last by this delay, he gave expression to his thoughts. "You are quite right, monsieur," said Courthon. "But your second is over-fastidious. It would simplify matters so much if you would remove your boots."
"Your longer reach is an advantage that you had from God, his longer sword is one he had from an armourer. Is that equality?" "He may have my sword, and I'll take his," cut in the Italian, also showing impatience. "I too am in haste." "In haste to die, then," snapped Gaubert. "Monsieur, this is not seemly," Courthon reproved him.
"We are wasting time, and I have a long journey before me. Courthon," said he, addressing his friend, "will you bring me the length of this gentleman's sword? My name, sir," he added to Garnache, "is Sanguinetti." "Faith," said Garnache, "it sorts well with your bloody spirit." "And will sort well, no doubt, with his condition presently," put in hawk-faced Gaubert.
Word Of The Day