f with the utmost punctiliousness in
every respect.

Roland declared that Sir John's request for the services of one of his
two seconds was not only just but suitable, and he authorized either
one of them to act for Sir John and to take charge of his interests. All
that remained for Roland to do was to dictate his conditions. They were
as follows!

Pistols were chosen. When loaded the adversaries were to stand at five
paces. At the third clap of the seconds' hands they were to fire. It
was, as we see, a duel to the death, in which, if either survived, he
would be at the mercy of his opponent. Consequently the young officers
made many objections; but Roland insisted, declaring that he alone
could judge of the gravity of the insult offered him, and that no other
reparation than this would satisfy him. They were obliged to yield
to such obstinacy. But the friend who was to act as Sir John's second
refused to bind himself for his principal, declaring that unless Sir
John ordered it he would refuse to be a party to such a murder.

"Don't excite yourself, dear friend," said Roland, "I know Sir John, and
I think he will be more accommodating than you."

The seconds returned to Sir John; they found him at his English
breakfast of beefsteak, potatoes and tea. On seeing them he rose,
invited them to share his repast, and, on their refusing, placed himself
at their disposal. They began by assuring him that he could count upon
one of them to act as his second. The one acting for Roland announced
the conditions. At each stipulation Sir John bowed his head in token of
assent and merely replied: "Very good!"

The one who had taken charge of his interests attempted to make some
objections to a form of combat that, unless something impossible to
foresee occurred, must end in the death of both parties; but Lord Tanlay
begged him to make no objections.

"M. de Montrevel is a gallant man," he said; "I do not wish to thwart
him in anything; whatever he does is right."

It only remained to settle the hour and the place of meeting. On these
points Sir John again placed himself at Roland's disposal. The two
seconds left even more delighted with him after this interview than they
had been after the first. Roland was waiting for them and listened to
what had taken place.

"What did I tell you?" he asked.

They requested him to name the time and place. He selected seven o'clock
in the evening in the Allee de la Muette. At that hour the