I meant it so to be." "But it offended me, monsieur," the other answered sharply.
The Parisian raised his eyebrows, and pursed his lips.

"Then I deplore it," said he.

And now he had to endure the hardest trial of all.

The stranger's expression changed to one of wondering scorn.
"Do I understand that monsieur apologizes ?" Garnache felt himself crimsoning; his self-control was slipping from him; the pressure against his shoulder blade was renewed, and in time he became aware of it and knew it for a warning from Rabecque.
"I cannot conceive, sir, that I have offended," said he at length, keeping a tight hand upon his every instinct--which was to knock this impertinent stranger down.

"But if I have, I beg that you will believe that I have done so unwittingly.