I am on my way to Spain to seek shelter there from the King's
vengeance.
To save myself is a duty that I owe as much to myself as to the
Cause. But there is another duty, one that I owe my sister, whom
you have so outrageously slighted, and this duty, by God's grace, I
will perform before I leave. Of your honour, monsieur, we will not
speak, for reasons into which I need not enter, and I make no appeal
to it. But if you have a spark of manhood left, if you are not an
utter craven as well as a knave, I shall expect you on the day after
tomorrow, at any hour before noon, at the Auberge de la Couronne at
Grenade. There, monsieur, if you please, we will adjust our
differences. That you may come prepared, and so that no time need
be wasted when we meet, I send you the length of my sword.
Thus ended that angry, fire-breathing epistle. I refolded it
thoughtfully, then, having taken my resolve, I leapt from the bed
and desired Anatole to assist me to dress.
I found the Vicomte much exercised in mind as to the meaning of
Marsac's extraordinary behaviour, and I was relieved to see that he,
at least, could conjecture no cause for it. In reply to the
questions with which he very naturally assailed me, I assured him
that it was no more than a matter of a misunderstanding; that
Monsieur de Marsac had asked me to meet him at Grenade in two days'
time, and that I should then, no doubt, be able to make all clear.
Meanwhile, I regretted the incident, since it necessitated my
remaining and encroaching for two days longer upon the Vicomte's
hospitality.
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