"Listen, Major," began Morandot, "that was very wrong on your part. The
captain is your inferior in rank, and you know that he won't be allowed
to fight you."
"That remains to be seen," answered the major.
"But how has he offended you? He never uttered a word. Two old comrades
too; it is absurd."
The major made a vague gesture. "No matter. He annoyed me."
He could never be made to say anything else. Nothing more as to his
motive was ever known. All the same, the scandal was a terrible one. The
regiment was inclined to believe that Melanie, incensed by the
captain's defection, had contrived to entrap the major, telling him some
abominable stories and prevailing upon him to insult and strike Burle
publicly. Who would have thought it of that old fogy Laguitte, who
professed to be a woman hater? they said. So he, too, had been caught
at last. Despite the general indignation against Melanie, this
adventure made her very conspicuous, and her establishment soon drove a
flourishing business.
On the following day the colonel summoned the major and the captain
into his presence. He censured them sternly, accusing them of disgracing
their uniform by frequenting unseemly haunts. What resolution had they
come to, he asked, as he could not authorize them to fight? This same
question had occupied the whole regiment for the last twenty-four hours.
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