“What would you have?” he added.  “The profaned palace, the insolent luxury of that thief, the Prince who has sold his family, the Baron whose part is so sinister.  I could no longer contain myself!  That Baron, above all, with his directives!  Words to repeat when one is German, to a French soldier who fought in 1870, like those words of Monsieur de Moltke!  His terms, too, applied to honor and that abominable politeness in which there is servility and insolence!....  Still, I am not satisfied with myself.  I am not at all satisfied.”

There was in his voice so much good-nature, such evident remorse at not having controlled himself in so grave a situation, that Dorsenne pressed his hand instead of reproaching him, as he said: 

“It will do to-morrow....  We will arrange all; it has only been postponed.”

“You say that to console me,” said the Marquis, “but I know it was very badly managed.  And it is my fault!  Perhaps we shall have no other service to render our brave Chapron than to arrange a duel for him under the most dangerous conditions.  Ah, but I became inopportunely angry!....  But why the deuce did Gorka select such a second?  It is incomprehensible!....  Did you see what the cabalistic word gentleman means to those rascals:  Steal, cheat, assassinate, but have carriages perfectly appointed, a magnificent mansion, well-served dinners, and fine clothes!....  No, I have suffered too much!  Ah, it is not right; and on what a day, too?  God!  That the old man might die!".... he added, in a voice so low that his companion did not hear his words.

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COSMOPOLIS

By Paul Bourget

BOOK 3.

CHAPTER VII

A LITTLE RELATIVE OF IAGO

The remorse which Montfanon expressed so naively, once acknowledged to himself, increased rapidly in the honest man’s heart.  He had reason to say from the beginning that the affair looked bad.  A quarrel, together with assault, or an attempt at assault, would not be easily set right.  It required a diplomatic miracle.  The slightest lack of self-possession on the part of the seconds is equivalent to a catastrophe.  As happens in such circumstances, events are hurried,