“ M. Albert de Morcerf,” said Beauchamp, rising in his turn, “I cannot throw you out of window for three weeks⁠—that is to say, for twenty-four days to come⁠—nor have you any right to split my skull open till that time has elapsed. Today is the 29th of August; the 21st of September will, therefore, be the conclusion of the term agreed on, and till that time arrives⁠—and it is the advice of a gentleman which I am about to give you⁠—till then we will refrain from growling and barking like two dogs chained within sight of each other.”

When he had concluded his speech, Beauchamp bowed coldly to Albert, turned his back upon him, and went to the press-room. Albert vented his anger on a pile of newspapers, which he sent flying all over the office by switching them violently with his stick; after which ebullition he departed⁠—not, however, without walking several times to the door of the press-room, as if he had half a mind to enter.