My knowledge of this accounts for my patience." "That is magnanimous, Monsieur," railingly.
"Were I not bound for a far country I might call you to account." "It is possible, then ?" "Braver men than you find it to their benefit to respect this sword of mine." "Then you have a sword ?" The vicomte laughed.

It was real laughter, unfeigned.

He was too keen a banterer himself not to appreciate this gift in the poet.

"What a lively lad you are!" he exclaimed.

"But four affronts make a long account for a single night." "I am ready now and at all times to close the account." "Do you love Paris ?" asked the vicomte, adding his mite to the bantering.
"Not so much as I did." "Has not Rochelle become suddenly attractive ?" "Rochelle?
I do not say so." "Come; confess that the unexpected advent of Madame de Brissac has brought this change about." "Were we not discoursing on affronts ?" "Only as a sign of my displeasure.