My eye fell upon my riding-whip, lying on a chair close to my hand, and the sight of it brought me the idea I sought.

Seizing it, I bounded out of the room and down the stairs, three steps at a stride.
Along the corridor I sped and into the common-room, which at the moment was tolerably full.

As I entered by one door, the Marquis was within three paces of the other, leading to the courtyard.
My whip in the air, I sprang after him; and he, hearing the rush of my onslaught, turned, then uttered a cry of pain as I brought the lash caressingly about his shoulders.
"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.