"De Farraud's? I'd not thought of it. Whom shall I meet there?"
"Your very obedient," said De Bergeret, flourishing his hat.
"The prospect1 does not entice2 me," answered Philip. "No, don't retort! Don't speak. Don't move!" He leaned forward, shifting a candle to throw its light on his face, and frowned at his reflection. The white hand that held the haresfoot wavered an instant, and then alighted at the corner of his mouth. Philip sat back, studying the effect.
"Whom else shall I meet, Jules?"
"The usual people, I fancy. And some others, no doubt."
"De Farraud's friends are so very mixed," deplored3 Philip. "Do you suppose that De Chambert will be present?"
"Nothing is more certain," yawned De Bergeret. "But it will be amusing, and the play will be high, which is all that matters."
"But De Chambert wears puce small-clothes," objected Philip.
"Does he? Mordieu, I'd like to see that! Puce small-clothes, forsooth! And what does our Philippe wear?"
Philip glanced lovingly down at his pearl-grey breeches.
"Grey, and palest pink, with lacings of silver." He slipped out of his gaily-hued robe, and stood up.
De Bergeret levelled his eyeglass at him.
"Parbleu, Philippe! Grey lace!"
His valet brought it, and helped Philip to put it on. It was a very exquisite6 confection of pink and silver brocade.
De Bergeret was interested.
"I'll swear you designed that, Philippe! Now for the coat!"
When Philip had at last succeeded in entering into the coat it was some ten minutes later. Fran?ois stepped back, panting; Philip arranged his sword to his satisfaction.
"A careless sprinkling of rubies7, hein? One in the cravat8, one here, another in my wig9. And on my fingers, so!..."
"Perfect!" applauded De Bergeret. "Tonnerre de Dieu, pink hummingbirds10 on your stockings!"
Fran?ois beamed and clasped his hands, gazing in rapt admiration11 at Philip's startlingly clocked legs.
Philip laughed.
"Do they please your artistic12 soul, Jules? And are they to be wasted on De Farraud? I had intended to go to the Saint-Clamond rout13, where I know I shall meet Clothilde. Come with me!"
De Bergeret shook his head.
"I promised De Vangrisse I'd be at De Farraud's some time to-night. Forget the lovely Clothilde, Philippe. Bethink you, your so dear friend Bancroft will come to Farraud's in De Chambert's train!"
Philip was fixing a long ruby14 ear-ring in his right ear, but he stopped suddenly, and looked over his shoulder at De Bergeret.
"Comment?"
"Why, you leap to my bait!" said De Bergeret, amused. "I thought you could not resist so great an attraction!"
"Faith, that can I not. I come, Jules, I come! Fran?ois, thou rogue16, my snuff-box! Would that he may be wearing that salmon-pink! Fran?ois, my cane17! Jules, you are sitting on my cloak! Sangdieu! My new cloak!" He swept De Bergeret off the coat, and shook out the soft, rose-lined folds. "God be praised, it is unhurt!" With a deft18 movement he swung it over his shoulders and fastened it. "My hat! Jules, what think you of my hat?"
"To meet the so dear M. Bancroft. En avant, Jules!"
De Bergeret went to the glass.
"Cultivate a more restful manner, mon petit! I am not to be hurried. Do you like this mixture of violet and cream?"
"I like everything you have on, even the so badly arranged cravat! I am consumed with impatience20! Come!"
"But why? Are you hasting to see the unspeakable Bancroft?"
"But yes! Whom else? I will explain en route."
De Bergeret suffered himself to be led to the door.
"I am a fashion unto myself, then. I am an original. And I go to call out M. Bancroft!"
De Bergeret stopped short.
"A brawl? Is it possible? I shall conduct the affair with great douceur, I assure you! You and Saint-Dantin are to be my seconds."
"Miséricorde! Philippe, you become more and more tiresome24!" expostulated his friend. "Why must you fight this fellow?"
"Oh, the devil," muttered Bancroft.
"Où donc?" inquired Le Vallon, who was sitting next to him and who understood English.
Bancroft shot an angry glance towards the door. Le Vallon turned to see what had excited his wrath26.
Talking to De Farraud, with many quick gestures and smiles, was Philip. He had just arrived, and he was apologizing for his lateness, throwing all the blame on De Bergeret, who accepted it meekly27.
"Oh, the little Englishman!" said Le Vallon scornfully. "Always late, always eccentric. And grey lace! What an affectation!"
Philip cast a swift glance round the room. His eyes rested an instant on Bancroft's face, then they passed on. Two or three men called to him, and he presently went to dice28 with De Vangrisse. But when Le Vallon left Bancroft to join a faro group, Philip swept up his dice, and with a laughing word to De Vangrisse, promising29 to return, he walked over to Bancroft's table, and sat down in Le Vallon's chair with a swirl30 of his full skirts.
"To what do I owe this honour?" he demanded.
Philip dealt out the cards.
"I will tell you. A hand of piquet? You will declare?" Bancroft sorted his hand rather sullenly32. Not until he had declared and played his card did Philip speak again. Then he took the trick and leaned forward.
"It comes to my ears that you have been bandying a certain lady's name about Paris in a way that does not please me. You understand, yes?"
"What the devil is it to you?" cried Bancroft, crimson-faced.
"Sh, sh! Not so loud, if you please! Go on playing! I am informed that you speak of this lady as a pretty piece! It is not how I will have you speak of her. Also, you say that she fell in love with you en désespéré. Eh bien, I say that you lie in your throat!"
"Sir!"
"Doucement, doucement. Further, I say that if so be you again mention this lady's name in public I shall send my lackeys33 to punish you. It is understood?"
The pleasant smile died. Philip leaned forward.
"That name I will not have spoken, m'sieur. Strive to bear it in mind. I have many friends, and they will tell me if you speak of the lady when I am not by. And of the rest I have warned you."
"Ye can understand this, Mr. Jettan—I'll speak of her how and when I like!"
"You talk foolishly. There is no question of refusal to comply with my wishes. If I so please I can make Paris ve-ry uncomfortable for you. You know that, I think."
Bancroft was speechless with rage.
"There is another matter," continued Philip amiably36. "Once before I had occasion to complain of your manner. I do so again. And I find the colour of your ribbons most distasteful to mine eye."
Bancroft sprang up, his chair grating on the polished floor.
"Perhaps you'll have the goodness to name your friends, sir?" he choked.
Philip bowed.
"This time, yes. It is a little debt I have to pay. M. le Comte de Saint-Dantin and M. de Bergeret will act for me. Or De Vangrisse yonder, or M. le Duc de Vally-Martin."
"The first named will suffice," snapped Bancroft. "My friends will wait on them as soon as may be." With that he flounced away to the other end of the room.
Philip walked back to De Vangrisse and perched on the arm of his chair.
De Bergeret cast his dice and nodded at Philip.
"The deed is done?"
"Most satisfactorily," answered Philip. "Throw, Paul, you can beat that."
"Not I! Jules has the devil's own luck to-night. If it is not an impertinence, are you to meet M. Bancroft?"
"Of course. Oh, peste!"—as De Vangrisse cast his dice.
"What did I tell you? May I second you?"
"A thousand thanks, Paul. But Saint-Dantin and Jules have consented to act for me."
"Well, I shall come as a spectator," said De Vangrisse. "Jules, another hundred! I'll not be beaten by you!"
Le Vallon, who had watched the brief encounter between his friend and Philip with great curiosity, now edged across to where Bancroft was standing37.
Bancroft turned.
"Come apart a moment," he said. His voice was still trembling with passion. He and Le Vallon drew near to the window.
"You saw that damned fellow come up to me just now?"
"But yes! I watched very closely. What did he want with you?"
"Why? What did he say?" asked Le Vallon inquisitively39.
Bancroft did not answer.
"I want you to act for me," he said abruptly40. "He—insulted me, and I've sworn to teach him a lesson."
Le Vallon drew back a little.
"No, not quite that. I've no wish for trouble. He has too many friends. I'll teach him to leave me alone!"
"Oh, yes! But..." Le Vallon pursed his lips.
"But what?" barked Bancroft.
"It is said that he is a not-to-be-despised swordsman. He pinked Armand de Sedlamont with great ease."
"Pooh!" said Bancroft. "Six months ago—"
"I know, I know, but he has changed."
"Well, will you act for me or not?"
Le Vallon drew himself up.
Bancroft laughed uneasily.
"Oh, come, Le Vallon! Don't take offence! That puppy has so annoyed me that I can scarce keep my temper. Where's De Chambert?"
"Playing at lansquenet with De Farraud. And I think we had best mingle44 with the others. I do not care to appear conspicuous45."
Bancroft caught at his arm.
"But you will second me?"
"I shall be honoured," bowed Le Vallon. "And I hope you will succeed in showing my fine gentleman his place."
Later in the evening Saint-Dantin sauntered over to where Philip sat, perched on the edge of the table, toasting some of his friends. Saint-Dantin joined the gathering46 and laid a hand on Philip's shoulder. Philip, who was drinking, choked.
"Malédiction! Oh, 'tis you, Louis! What now?"
"Already?" Philip was startled. "Who told you?"
"Personne." Saint-Dantin smiled. "It is whispered here and there. And Bancroft looks so black at you. It's true?"
"Of course it's true! Did I not say I should do it? His seconds are to wait upon you and Jules."
"How very fatiguing48!" sighed Saint-Dantin. "But quite amusing. One jubilates. Bancroft is not at all liked. He is so entreprenant. An' I mistake not, you will have an audience," he chuckled49.
"What?" Philip gripped his wrist. "I won't have an audience!"
Saint-Dantin blinked, loosening the clasp on his wrist.
"Pas si éclatant, Philippe," he said. "You twist and turn like a puppet on wires! I only know that at least five here to-night swear they'll see the fight."
"But it is monstrous50!" objected Philip. "I forbid you to divulge51 the whereabouts of the meeting."
"Oh, entendu! But the secret will out."
"You must keep it steady," said De Chatelin. "My money's for you, petit Anglais!"
"Henri, it is iniquitous54! It is not a public exhibition that I engage in! One would say we were gladiators!"
"Reste tranquille," grinned De Vangrisse. "We are all backing you, mon petit."
"I trust you'll not forget to inform His Majesty55 of the rendezvous," said Philip, resorting to bitter sarcasm56. "And have you engaged a fiddler to enliven the meeting?"
"Philippe se fache," teased De Chatelin. "Quiet, little fighting cock!"
"I shall write an ode!" threatened Philip direfully.
"Ah no, that is too much!" cried De Vangrisse with feeling.
"And I shall read it to you before I engage. Well?"
"It is a heavy price to pay," answered Paul, "but not too heavy for the entertainment."
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1
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ruffles
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| 褶裥花边( ruffle的名词复数 ) | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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cravat
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| n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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hummingbirds
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| n.蜂鸟( hummingbird的名词复数 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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convenable
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| 可召集的，可召唤的 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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unpaid
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| adj.未付款的，无报酬的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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lackeys
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| n.听差( lackey的名词复数 )；男仆（通常穿制服）；卑躬屈膝的人；被待为奴仆的人 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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48
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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49
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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51
divulge
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| v.泄漏(秘密等)；宣布，公布 | |
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52
ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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53
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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55
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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56
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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