"This is an unappreciated honor," sneered the Prince.
"So it is," replied Hillars, lightly. "When an honest man speaks to
you he is conferring an honor upon you which you, as you say, cannot
appreciate. It appears to me that Your Highness has what we in America
call malaria. I propose to put a hole through you and let out this bad
substance. Lead, properly used, is a great curative. Sir, your
presence on this beautiful world is an eyesore to me."
"One excuse is as good as another," said the Prince. "Did Her Highness
delegate you to put me out of the way?"
"Oh, no; but since you have brought her name into it, I confess that it
is on her account. Well, sir, no man has ever insulted a woman in my
presence and gone unscathed. In English speaking lands we knock him
down. This being Rome I shall do as the Romans do. I believe I called
you a liar; I will do so again. Is the object of my errand plain?"
"As I said to your friend," smiled the Prince, "I will send a lackey
down here to take care of you. Count, we shall hardly get to the
station in time to catch the train. Young man, stand aside; you annoy
me, I have no time to discuss the Princess or her lovers. Release my
horse!"
"What a damned cur you are!" cried Hillars, losing his airy tone. "By
God, you will fight me, if I have to knock you down and spit upon you!"
Then with full force he flung his hat into the face of the Prince.
"You have written finis to your tale," said the Prince, dismounting.
"Your Highness!" exclaimed the Count, springing to the ground, "this
must not be. You shall not risk your life at the hands of this damned
adventurer."
"Patience, Count," said the Prince, shaking off the hand which the
Count had placed upon his shoulder. "Decidedly, this fellow is worth
consideration. Since we have no swords, sir, and they seem to be
woman's weapons these days, we will use pistols. Of course, you have
come prepared. It is a fine time for shooting. This first light of
twilight gives us equal advantage. Will it be at ten or twenty paces?
I dare say, if we stand at twenty, in the centre of the road, we shall
have a good look at each other before we separate indefinitely."