On recognizing, in the courtyard of an elegant little
villa, the young man he had so determinedly insulted the day before,
he went up to him with the pressing politeness of men of the old
court.
"Why, my dear sir, who could have guessed that I should have a brush,
at the age of seventy-three, with the son, or the grandson, of one of
my best friends. I am a vice-admiral, monsieur; is not that as much as
to say that I think no more of fighting a duel than of smoking a
cigar? Why, in my time, no two young men could be intimate till they
had seen the color of their blood! But 'sdeath, sir, last evening,
sailor-like, I had taken a drop too much grog on board, and I ran you
down. Shake hands; I would rather take a hundred rebuffs from a
Longueville than cause his family the smallest regret."
However coldly the young man tried to behave to the Comte de
Kergarouet, he could not resist the frank cordiality of his manner,
and presently gave him his hand.
"You were going out riding," said the Count. "Do not let me detain
you. But, unless you have other plans, I beg you will come to dinner
to-day at the Villa Planat. My nephew, the Comte de Fontaine, is a man
it is essential that you should know. Ah, ha! And I propose to make up
to you for my clumsiness by introducing you to five of the prettiest
women in Paris. So, so, young man, your brow is clearing! I am fond of
young people, and I like to see them happy.
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