my first
position, I waited. It was daylight though not full morning--the sun
had not yet risen, but there was an opaline luster in the sky, and one
pale pink streak in the east like the floating pennon from the lance of
a hero, which heralded his approach. There was a gentle twittering of
awakening birds--the grass sparkled with a million tiny drops of frosty
dew. A curious calmness possessed me. I felt for the time as though I
were a mechanical automaton moved by some other will than my own. I had
no passion left.

The weapons were now loaded--and the marquis, looking about him with a
cheerful business-like air, remarked:

"I think we may now place our men?"

This suggestion agreed to, Ferrari left his place near the tree against
which he had in part inclined as though fatigued, and advanced to the
spot his seconds pointed out to him. He threw off his hat and overcoat,
thereby showing that he was still in his evening-dress. His face was
haggard and of a sickly paleness--his eyes had dark rings of pain round
them, and were full of a keen and bitter anguish. He eagerly grasped
the pistol they handed to him, and examined it closely with vengeful
interest. I meanwhile also threw off my hat and coat--the marquis
glanced at me with careless approval.

"You look a much younger man without your spectacles, conte," he
remarked as he handed me my weapon. I smiled indifferently, and took up
my position at the distance indicated, exactly opposite Ferrari. He was
still occupied in the examination of his pistol, and did not at once
look up.

"Are we ready, gentlemen?" demanded Freccia, with courteous coldness.

"Quite ready," was the response. The Marquis D'Avencourt took out his
handkerchief. Then Ferrari raised his head and faced me fully for the
first time. Great Heaven! shall I ever forget the awful change that
came over his pallid countenance--the confused mad look of his
eyes--the startled horror of his expression! His lips moved as though
he were about to utter an exclamation--he staggered.

"One!" cried D'Avencourt.

We raised our weapons.

"Two!"

The scared and bewildered expression of Ferrari's face deepened visibly
as he eyed me steadily in taking aim. I smiled proudly--I gave him back
glance for glance--I saw him waver--his hand shook.

"Three!" and the white handkerchief fluttered to the ground. Instantly,
and together, we fired. Ferrari's bullet whizzed past me, merely
tearing my coat and grazing my s