this limit he found there, like a sentinel, a young man about his own age, with a black cap, a white plume, and a violet cloak, who, with frowning brow and his hand on his sword, seemed to say, “Thou shalt go no further.”  But the other took twenty turns without observing this, so preoccupied was he.  Certainly he saw a man walking up and down like himself:  but, as he was too well dressed to be a robber, he never thought of disquieting himself about him.  But the other, on the contrary, looked more and more black at each return of the red plume, till at last it attracted his attention, and he began to think that his presence there must be annoying to the other; and wondering for what reason, he looked first at Briquet’s house, then at the one opposite, and seeing nothing, turned round and recommenced his walk from west to east.  This continued for about five minutes, until, as they once again came face to face, the young man in the white plume walked straight up against the other, who, taken unawares, with difficulty saved himself from falling.

“Monsieur,” cried he, “are you mad, or do you mean to insult me?”

“Monsieur, I wish to make you understand that you annoy me much.  It seems to me that you might have seen that without my telling you.”

“Not at all, monsieur; I never see what I do not wish to see.”

“There are, however, certain things which would attract your attention, I hope, if they shone before your eyes;” and he drew his sword as he spoke, which glittered in the moonlight.

The red plume said quietly, “One would think, monsieur, that you had never drawn a sword before, you are in such a hurry to attack one who does not attack you.”

“But who will defend himself, I hope.”

“Why so?” replied the other smiling.  “And what right have you to prevent me from walking in the street?”

“Why do you walk in this street?”

“Parbleu! because it pleases me.”

“Ah! it pleases you.”

“Doubtless; are you not also walking here?  Have you a license from the king to keep to yourself the Rue de Bussy?”

“What is that to you?”

“A great deal, for I am a faithful subject of the king’s, and would not disobey him.”

“Ah! you laugh!”

“And you threaten.”

“Heaven and earth!  I tell you, you annoy me, monsieur, and that if you do not go away willingly I will make you.”

“Oh! oh! we shall see that.”

“Yes, we shall see.”

“Monsieur, I have particular business here.  Now, if you will have it, I will cross swords with you, but I will not go away.”

“Monsieur, I am Comte Henri du Bouchage, brother of the Duc de Joyeuse.  Once more, will you yield me the place, and go away?”

“Monsieur,” replied the other, “I am the Vicomte Ernanton de Carmainges.  You do not annoy me at all, and I do not ask you to go away.”

Du Bouchage reflected a moment, and then put his sword back in its sheath.