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"Surely not, sir," Courthon interrupted sweetly. "You forget that you rolled Monsieur Sanguinetti in the mud. That is hardly to have a quarrel forced upon you." Garnache bit his lip to the blood in his vexation. "However the quarrel may have originated," said Francois, with a great laugh, "I swear that it goes not forward until I am accommodated, too."
"You will be so good as to inform your friend of what I have said," Garnache insisted, interrupting him. Cowed, Courthon shrugged and went apart to confer with his friend. "Ah!" came Sanguinetti's soft voice, yet loud enough to be heard by all present. "He shall have a caning then for his impertinence." And he called loudly to the post-boy for his whip.
And so he stepped forward, joining Courthon and Gaubert, to insist that the combat should take place in the inn either in the common room or in the yard. But the landlord, overhearing this, protested loudly that he could not consent to it. He had his house to think of. He swore that they should not fight on his premises, and implored them in the same breath not to attempt it.
We shall have every scullion in Grenoble presently saying that we are afraid of one another. Besides which, sirs, I think I am taking cold." "I am quite of monsieur's mind, myself," drawled Sanguinetti. "You hear, sir," exclaimed Courthon, turning to Gaubert. "You can scarce persist in finding objections now." "Why, since all are satisfied, so be it," said Gaubert, with a shrug.
"Give me air," he cried, and cuffed out to right and left of him at the grinning spectators, who fell back and grinned less broadly. "My reason, Monsieur de Courthon," said he, "is that I do not belong to my self at present. I am in Grenoble on business of the State, as the emissary of the Queen-Regent, and so it would hardly become me to engage in private quarrels." Courthon raised his brows.
Gaubert bowed in submission; but Sanguinetti, who had overheard, turned with an oath. "By God, no!" said he. "I need no such advantage, sir. Courthon, be so good as to help me on with my boots again." And there was a fresh delay whilst he resumed them. At last, however, the four men came together, and proceeded to the measurement of swords.
Courthon looked at him as he might look at an impertinent lackey. "And what may that be?" he inquired, mightily contemptuous. There was a snigger from some in the crowd that pressed about them, and even Monsieur Gaubert looked askance. "Surely, sir," he began, "if I did not know you for Monsieur de Garnache " But Garnache did not let him finish.
"Monsieur de Garnache, if you have no friend at hand to act for you, I shall esteem myself honoured." And he bowed. "Why, thanks, sir. You are most opportunely met. You should be a gentleman since you frequent the Hotel de Bourgogne. My thanks." Gaubert went aside to confer with Monsieur Courthon.
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