Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/64

 "And who is Lieutenant Ristich?" I asked. "I do not know him."

"You met yesterday at General Kolfort's house, and he considers that you insulted him. Will you be good enough to tell me who will act for you? The facts have been explained to me."

"Do you mean that the lieutenant wishes to force a quarrel upon me? I remember him now, of course; but I know of no insult, and certainly I have no quarrel with him."

The captain raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders.

"Shall I say, then, that you prefer to apologise?" he asked, superciliously.

"Certainly not," I returned sharply, stung by his manner. "What I mean is that nothing passed which need make another encounter between us necessary."

"That is an impasse."

"I cannot help that," said I, indifferently.

"Well, you must either fight, sir, or refuse to fight; and in the latter case the lieutenant says he will be driven to the extreme course of publicly insulting you."

"This is monstrous," I answered angrily. "It is nothing less than forcing a quarrel upon me, as I say. But if that is the lieutenant's mood, and he wishes for another lesson in swordsmanship, I'll give it him. I have but very few friends here in Sofia, but the matter shall be arranged without delay. Perhaps" I looked across at Spernow.

"Can I be of any assistance, Count?" he said, eagerly.

"I shall be deeply obliged if you will. Perhaps these gentlemen will retire to another room for a few