"'One moment,' interposed La Palferine, as much Lauzun for the
occasion as Lauzun himself could have been. 'One moment. Monsieur was
born, I suppose?'
"'What, sir?'
"'Yes, are you born? What is your name?'
"'Godin.'
"'Godin, eh!' exclaimed La Palferine's friend.
"'One moment, my dear fellow,' interrupted La Palferine. 'There are
the Trigaudins. Are you one of them?'
"Astonishment.
"'No? Then you are one of the new dukes of Gaeta, I suppose, of
imperial creation? No? Oh, well, how can you expect my friend to cross
swords with you when he will be secretary of an embassy and ambassador
_some day_, and you will owe him respect? _Godin!_ the thing is
non-existent! You are a nonentity, Godin. My friend cannot be expected
to beat the air! When one is somebody, one cannot fight with a nobody!
Come, my dear fellow--good-day.'
"'My respects to madame,' added the friend.
"Another day La Palferine was walking with a friend who flung his
cigar end in the face of a passer-by. The recipient had the bad taste
to resent this.
"'You have stood your antagonist's fire,' said the young Count, 'the
witnesses declare that honor is satisfied.
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