He delivered himself of a remembered phrase, very elegant, refined.

It was Lancelot after the tournament, Bayard receiving felicitations after the battle.
"Oh, don't say anything about it," he murmured.

"I only did what any man would have done in my place." To restore completely the equanimity of the company, he announced supper.

This he had calculated as a tremendous surprise.

It was to have been served at mid-night, but the irruption of Delaney had dislocated the order of events, and the tables were brought in an hour ahead of time.