“Are these gentlemen of that opinion?” asked Hafner in a conciliatory voice, turning first to Dorsenne, then to Ardea:  “I do not adhere to my method,” he continued, again folding his paper.  He slipped it into his vest-pocket and continued:  “Let us establish the facts, as you say.  Count Gorka, our friend, considers himself seriously, very seriously, offended by Monsieur Florent Chapron in the course of the discussion in a public street.  Monsieur Chapron was carried away, as you know, sirs, almost to—­what shall I say?—­hastiness, which, however, was not followed by consequences, thanks to the presence of mind of Monsieur Gorka....  But, accomplished or not, the act remains.  Monsieur Gorka was insulted, and he requires satisfaction....  I do not believe there is any doubt upon that point which is the cause of the affair, or, rather, the whole affair.”

“I again ask your pardon, sir,” said Montfanon, dryly, who no longer took pains to conceal his anger, “Monsieur Dorsenne and I can not accept your manner of putting the question....  You say that Monsieur Chapron’s hastiness was not followed by consequences by reason of Monsieur Gorka’s presence of mind.  We claim that there was only on the part of Monsieur Chapron a scarcely indicated gesture, which he himself restrained.  In consequence you attribute to Monsieur Gorka the quality of the insulted party; you are over-hasty.  He is merely the plaintiff, up to this time.  It is very different.”

“But by rights he is the insulted party,” interrupted Ardea.  “Restrained or not, it constitutes a threat of assault.  I did not wish to claim to be a duellist by telling you of my engagements.  But this is the A B C of the ‘codice cavalleresco’, if the insult be followed by an assault, he who receives the blow is the offended party, and the threat of an assault is equivalent to an actual assault.  The offended party has the choice of a duel, weapons and conditions.  Consult your authors and ours:  Chateauvillars, Du Verger, Angelini and Gelli, all agree.”

“I am sorry for their sakes,” said Montfanon, and he looked at the Prince with a contraction of the brows almost menacing, “but it is an opinion which does not hold good generally, nor in this particular case.  The proof is that a duellist, as you have just said,” his voice trembled as he emphasized the insolence offered by the other, “a bravo, to use the expression of your country, would only have to commit a justifiable murder by first insulting him at whom he aims with rude words.  The insulted person replies by a voluntary gesture, on the signification of which one may be mistaken, and you will admit that the bravo is the offended party, and that he has the choice of weapons.”

“But, Marquis,” resumed Hafner, with evident disgust, so greatly did the cavilling and the ill-will of the nobleman irritate him, “where are you wandering to?  What do you mean by bringing up chicanery of this sort?”

“Chicanery!” exclaimed Montfanon, half rising.