"I would not have him or anyone
know of this monstrous proposal. I should never hear the end of it,
and there would be a thousand versions of the story."
I was not surprised at this decision on his part. Indeed, I had
expected it with confidence.
"You will not reconsider?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Jamais de la vie!"
"Then the duel is off."
Paolo swore.
I smiled; but he did not see the smile. I was careful that he should
not.
"I consider that you and your principal have taken an unfair
advantage."
"That is between you and me. If you care to raise the question----"
"I have no quarrel with you."
"Then you and Mr. Laurence must treat the misunderstanding of this
evening as if it had not been. This will not be difficult, as he will
go with me on an excursion to-morrow, now that his--er--engagement
with you is off; and the day after, he and I think of leaving Aix
altogether, by way of Mont Revard."
This plan arranged itself spontaneously; but as the Boy had
ungallantly called Gaeta "a little cat," and I was slightly _blase_ of
her dimples, I thought that I might count upon its being carried out.
"What--he will go away?" exclaimed Paolo, all at once a different man.
"He will leave Aix altogether, you say?"
"Yes. You see, we are on our way south. Mr. Laurence merely wanted a
glance at Aix _en route_, and the Contessa was kind enough to invite
him to her house.
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