"Then take that, monsieur," said he, "from one who fought for the First
Napoleon, and will fight for this Napoleon against the tongue of slander
and the acts of fools. I killed two Prussians once for saying that the
Great Emperor's shirt stuck out below his waistcoat. You'll find me at
the Louis Quinze," he added, before De la Riviere, choking with wrath,
could do more than get to his feet; and, wheeling, he left the room.
The young Seigneur would have followed him, but the avocat laid a
restraining hand upon his arm, and Medallion said: "Dear Seigneur, see,
you can't fight him. The parish would only laugh."
De la Riviere took the advice, and on Sunday, over the coffee, unburdened
the tale to Madame Chalice.
Contrary to his expectations, she laughed a great deal, then soothed his
wounded feelings and advised him as Medallion had done. And because
Valmond commanded the old sergeant to silence, the matter ended for the
moment. But it would have its hour yet, and Valmond knew this as well as
did the young Seigneur.
CHAPTER VII
It was no jest of Valmond's that he would, or could, have five hundred
followers in two weeks.
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