"Ha! a woman?" The governor leaned forward on his elbows.

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Mademoiselle de Longueville. D'Hérouville insulted her and the
Chevalier took up her cause."

"Why, then, did you not pick your quarrel with the count?"

"The vicomte had some prior claim."

The governor got up and walked about, biting his mustache. Victor eyed
him with some anxiety.

"But the Chevalier; why did he not defend himself?"

Victor breathed impatiently. "Frankly, Monsieur, how can he defend
himself?"

"True." The governor scrubbed his beard. He was in a quandary and
knew not which way to move. Tardy decision was the stumbling-block in
the path of this well meaning man. Problems irritated him; and in his
secret heart he wished he had never seen the Chevalier, D'Hérouville,
the poet, or the vicomte, since they upset his quiet. He had enough to
do with public affairs without having private ones thrust gratuitously
upon his care. "Well, well," he said, reseating himself; "you know my
wishes. Nothing but publicity will come of duels and brawls, and
publicity is the last thing the Chevalier is seeking. I feel genuinely