he narrow circle of flashing steel in which he intrenched
himself. Finding, after a long combat with an imaginary foe, that his
hand had not lost its cunning, and satisfied at length both with himself
and with his sword, which he placed near his bedside, de Sigognac was
soon sleeping soundly, and as quietly as if he had never even dreamed
of sending a challenge to that lofty and puissant nobleman, the Duke of
Vallombreuse.

Isabelle meanwhile could not close her eyes, because of her anxiety
about the young baron. She knew that he would not allow the matter to
rest where it was, and she dreaded inexpressibly the consequences of a
quarrel with the duke; but the idea of endeavouring to prevent a
duel never even occurred to her. In those days affairs of honour were
regarded as sacred things, that women did not dream of interfering
with, or rendering more trying to their near and dear ones by tears and
lamentations, in anticipation of the danger to be incurred by them.

At nine o'clock the next morning, the Marquis de Bruyeres was astir, and
went to look up de Sigognae, whom he found in his own room, in order
to regulate with him the conditions of the duel. The baron asked him to
take with him, in case of incredulity, or refusal of his challenge, on
the duke's part, the old deeds and ancient parchments, to which large
seals were suspended, the commissions of various sorts with royal
signatures in faded ink, the genealogical tree of the de Sigognacs, and
in fact all his credentials, which he had brought away from the chateau
with him as his most precious treasures; for they were indisputable
witnesses to the nobility and antiquity of his house. These valuable
documents, with their strange old Gothic characters, scarcely
decipherable save by experts, were carefully wrapped up in a piece of
faded crimson silk, which looked as if it might have been part of the
very banner borne by Palamede de Sigognac at the head of his hundred
followers in the first crusade.

"I do not believe," said the marquis, "that these credentials will be
necessary; my word should be sufficient; it has never yet been doubted.
However, as it is possible that this hot-headed young duke may persist
in recognising only Captain Fracasse in your person, I will let my
servant accompany me and carry them for me to his house, in case I
should deem it best to produce them."

"You must do whatever you think proper and right," de Sigognac answered;
"I have implic