Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/53

 nothing to do but give the twisting thrust, and he will pink himself.'

"In spite of his lesson, Fanfan was not quite tranquil; and having reached the ground, he was more dead than alive. The adversary and his second had arrived already. 'Here we are,' said Belle-Rose, taking the foils which he had given to me; and breaking off the buttons, he measured the blades. 'Neither of them is six inches longer than the other. Come, take this,' said he to M. Fanfan, giving him one of the foils.

"Fanfan hesitated; and on the second offer, seized the handle so clumsily that he let it fall. 'That is nothing,' said Belle-Rose, picking it up, and putting it in Fanfan's hand: he then placed him opposite his adversary. 'Mind, guard! We shall see who will tickle his man.'

"'One moment,' said the second of the opponent; 'I have a question to ask first, sir,' said he, addressing Fanfan, who could scarcely support himself, 'are you either master or provost?'—'What do you say,' replied Fanfan, with the voice of a man half dead. 'According to the laws of duelling,' responded the second, 'my duty compels me to summon you to declare on your honour, are you master or provost?' Fanfan was silent, and looked at Belle-Rose as if to ask him what he should say. 'Speak, sir,' said the second to Fanfan. 'I am—I am—I am only an apprentice,' stammered Fanfan. 'Apprentice means amateur,' added Belle-Rose. 'In this case,' continued the second, 'the gentleman amateur must undress; for our business is with his skin.'—'That is just,' said Belle-Rose, 'I did not think of that; he will undress himself: quick, quick, M. Fanfan, off with coat and shirt.'

"Fanfan cut a scurvy figure; the sleeves of his doublet were very tight, and he unbuttoned at one end and buttoned up at the other. When he had taken off his waistcoat, he could not undo the strings