"  M.  Philippe,  will  you  lend  your  sword  to  this  man  ?  "

"  No,  M.  de  Charny,  I  cannot  lend  my  sword  to  a  man
like  that ;  but  I  will  lend  you  my  cane,  if  yours  does  not
suffice."

"Corbleu!  a  cane!"  cried  Reteau.  "Do  you  know
that  I  am  a  gentleman  ?"

"  Then  lend  me  your  sword,  M.  de  Taverney  ;  he  shall
have  mine,  and  I  will  never  touch  it  again  ! "  cried
Charny.
Philippe  unsheathed  his  sword,  and  passed  it  through
the  railings.
"Now,"  said  Charny,  throwing  down  his  sword  at  the


THE  QUEEN'S  NECKLACE.  203

feet  of  Reteau,  "  you  call  yourself  a  gentleman,  and  you
write  such  infamies  against  the  Queen  of  France  ;  pick
up  that  sword,  and  let  us  see  what  kind  of  a  gentleman
you  are."

But  Reteau  did  not  stir ;  he  seemed  as  afraid  of  the
sword  at  his  feet  as  he  had  been  of  the  uplifted  cane.
"  Morbleu  !  "  cried  Philippe,  "  open  the  gate  to  me  !  "

"  Pardon,  monsieur/'  said  Charny,  "but  you  ac-
knowledged my  right  to  be  first."

"  Then  be  quick,  for  I  am  in  a  hurry  to  begin."

"  I  wished  to  try  other  methods  before  resorting  to
this,  for  I  am  not  much  more  fond  of  inflicting  a  caning
than  M.  Reteau  is  of  receiving  one  ;  but  as  he  prefers  it
to  fighting,  he  shall  be  satisfied  ;  "  and  a  cry  from  Reteau
soon  announced  that  Charny  had  begun.
The  noise  soon  attracted  old  Aldegonde,  who  joined  her
voice  to  her  master's.
Charny  minded  one  no  more  than  the  other ;  at  last,
however,  he  stopped,  tired  with  his  work.
"Now  have  you  finished,  sir  ?"  said  Philippe.
