"Now, master craven," I shouted, "will that change your mind?"
With an almost inarticulate cry, he sought to draw there and then, but those about flung themselves upon us, and held us apart--I, passive and unresisting; the Marquis, bellowing, struggling, and foaming at the mouth.
"To meet you now would be to murder you, Marquis," I said coolly. "Send your friends to me to appoint the time."
"Soit!" he cried, his eyes blazing with a hate unspeakable. "At eight to-morrow morning I shall await you on the green behind the castle of Blois."
"At eight o'clock I shall be there," I answered. "And now, gentlemen, if you will unhand me, I will return to my apartments."
They let me go, but with many a growl and angry look, for in their eyes I was no more than a coarse aggressor, whilst their sympathy was all for St. Auban.