Joubert, now completely red, was visibly shaking. "You... you... I demand satisfaction! I demand it!" he said stomping his feet uncontrollably on the floor. "I am within my rights to demand a duel to defend my honor and the honor of my wife. You may choose the weapon."

Ramsay tugged hard at Louis' jacket to get his attention. "Pistols... pistols," she hissed quietly at him between clenched teeth.

"Pistols," said Louis loudly, his voice carrying throughout the ballroom. "The day after tomorrow."

"Fine," Joubert said sternly. "Have your second call on mine tomorrow at my home. It's at--."

"I know where it is," slurred Louis.

"Day after tomorrow then, at sunrise," Joubert said as he stooped to comfort his wife.

Louis nodded and stumbled through the crowd toward the door. "Here let's take my carriage," Ramsay said as they left the ballroom.

"Why pistols? I've never even held a flintlock before much less fired one," Louis asked.

"If memory serves you've never held a rapier before either, have you?"

"No."

"Then a pistol is your only chance. Stay at my chateau tonight and we'll practice tomorrow after you've slept it off," Ramsay said.

Louis was pasty white and winced with the report of Ramsay's first shot. "How's your head this morning?"

"It's been better."

"I'll bet it has. Here it's reloaded," she said, handing it to him. "You try it."

He took the pistol in both hands. "What do I do just point it and pull the trigger?"

"Pull back the catch like so." She pulled the hammer back until it locked in place. "Now point it carefully and gently squeeze the trigger."

"Okay. What am I aiming at?"

Ramsay looked around the barnyard. "That chicken over there by the fence. If you hit it, we eat it for lunch."

"It's a bet," he said as he closed his left eye and drew a bead on the unsuspecting bird. He winced again at the report and peered through the fading white smoke to see the chicken standing unruffled in the same spot. "I think I missed."

"Yes, you missed. Here let me reload it for you." She took the pistol and dumped a measure of powder down the barrel. "Tell me, why did you go through with that outburst last night? Why didn't you apologize when you had the chance?"

Louis sighed. "I was frustrated I guess. I've been working like a Trojan for months trying to perfect larger and larger mirrors while that talentless buffoon stands to make a fortune, and all because of a gimmick. It's infuriating."

"Here, it's ready," she said, handing it back to him. "Well, if by chance you kill him tomorrow the contract would almost certainly be yours."