"What do you mean?" said I, with forced calmness. He took the paper out of my hand and began to criticize without pity, every verse, every word, tearing me up in the most malicious fashion. It was too much. I snatched the paper from him, declaring that never again would I show him any of my compositions.
"We shall see," said he, "if you can keep your word; poets need a listener as Ivan Mironoff needs a decanter of brandy before dinner. Who is this Marie to whom you declare your tender feelings? Might it not be Marie Mironoff?"
"That is none of your business," said I, frowning. "I want neither your advice nor supposition."
"Oh! oh! vain poet; discreet lover," continued Alexis, irritating me more and more, "listen to friendly counsel: if you want to succeed do not confine yourself to songs."
"What do you mean, sir? Explain!"
"With pleasure," he replied. "I mean that if you wish to form an intimacy with Marie Mironoff, you have only to give her a pair of earrings instead of your lackadaisical verses."
All my blood boiled. "Why have you this opinion of her?" I asked, with much effort restraining my anger.
"Because," said he, "of my own experience."
"You lie, wretch," I cried, with furry, "you lie, shamelessly."
Alexis was enraged.
"That shall not pass so," he said, grasping my hand. "You shall give me satisfaction."
"When ever you like," I replied, joyfully, for at that moment I was ready to tear him to pieces. I ran at once to see Ivan Ignatius, whom I found with a needle in his hand. According to orders from the Commandant's wife, he was stringing mushrooms which were to be dried for winter use.
"Ah! Peter Grineff, be welcome. Dare I ask on what business God sends you here?"
In a few words I told him of my quarrel with Alexis, and begged him, Ignatius, to be my second. Ignatius heard me to the end with great attention, opening wide his only eye.
"You deign to say that you want to kill Alexis, and desire that I should witness the act? Is that what you mean, dare I ask?"
"Precisely."
"Ah! what folly; you have had some words with Alexis. What then? A harsh word can not be hung up by the neck. He gives you impertinence, give him the same; if he give you a slap, return the blow; he a second, you a third; in the end we will compel you to make peace. Whilst if you fight--well, if you should kill him, God be with him! for I do not like him much; but if he should perforate you, what a nice piece of business! Then who will pay for the broken pots?"