“Never mind,” said the duke, as he rang a small hand bell sharply; “be he what he may, I intend first to have the scamp well punished in his character of play-actor; even though I should be obliged to chastise the gentleman afterward, if there prove to be one hidden behind that ridiculous mask—­which idea I cannot credit.”

“If there be one!  There’s no doubt of it, I tell you,” rejoined his friend, with an air of conviction.  “The more I think of it, the more positive I am of it.  Why, his eyes shone like stars under his overhanging false eye-brows, and in spite of his absurd pasteboard nose he had a grand, majestic air about him that was very imposing, and would be utterly impossible to a low-born man.”

“Well, so much the better,” said Vallombreuse; “for if you are right, I can make his punishment twofold.”

Meantime a servant, in rich livery, had entered, and after bowing low stood as motionless as a statue, with one hand on the knob of the door, awaiting his master’s orders; which were presently given, as follows:  “Go and call up Basque, Azolan, Merindol, and Labriche, if they have gone to bed; tell them to arm themselves with stout cudgels and go down to the tennis-court, find a dark corner near by and wait there, until the players come out, for a certain Captain Fracasse.  They are to fall upon him and beat him until they leave him for dead upon the pavement, but to be careful not to kill him outright—­it might be thought that I was afraid of him if they did, you know,” in an aside to Vidalinc.

“I will be responsible for the consequences; and with every blow they are to cry, ‘This is from the Duke of Vallombreuse,’ so that he may understand plainly what it means.”

This order, though of so savage and fierce a nature, did not seem to surprise the lackey, who, as he retired, assured his lordship, with an unmoved countenance and another low bow, that his commands should be immediately obeyed.

“I am sorry,” said Vidalinc, after the servant had closed the door behind him, “that you mean to treat this man so roughly, for after all he showed a spirit superior to his position, and becoming a gentleman.  Suppose you let me go and pick a quarrel with him, and kill him for you in a duel.  All blood is red when it is shed, the lowly as well as the lofty, though they do pretend that the blood of the nobles is blue.  I come of a good and ancient family, if not so high in rank as yours, and I have no fear of belittling myself in this affair.  Only say the word, and I will go this instant, for this histrionic captain is, it seems to me, more worthy of the sword of a gentleman than the cudgels of your hired ruffians.”

“I thank you heartily for this offer,” answered the duke, “which proves your faithful devotion to me and my interests, but I cannot accept it.  That low scoundrel has dared to lay hands upon me, and he must expiate his crime in the most ignominious way.  Should he prove to be a gentleman, he will be able to find redress.  I never fail to respond, as you know, when there is question of settling a matter by the sword.”