it confidence in your judgment, and leave my honour in
your hands, without a condition or reservation."

"It will be safe with me, I do solemnly assure you," said the Marquis de
Bruyeres earnestly, "and we will have satisfaction yet from this proud
young nobleman, whose excessive insolence and outrageously imperious
ways are more than a little offensive to me, as well as to many others.
He is no better than the rest of us, whose blood is as ancient and noble
as his own, nor does his ducal coronet entitle him to the superiority he
arrogates to himself so disagreeably. But we won't talk any more about
it--we must act now. Words are feminine, but actions are masculine, and
offended honour can only be appeased with blood, as the old saying has
it."

Whereupon the marquis called his servant, consigned the precious packet,
with an admonition, to his care, and followed by him set off on his
mission of defiance. The duke, who had passed a restless, wakeful night,
and only fallen asleep towards morning, was not yet up when the Marquis
de Bruyeres, upon reaching his house, told the servant who admitted him
to announce him immediately to his master. The valet was aghast at the
enormity of this demand, which was expressed in rather a peremptory
tone. What! disturb the duke! before he had called for him! it would be
as much as his life was worth to do it; he would as soon venture unarmed
into the cage of a furious lion, or the den of a royal tiger. The duke
was always more or less surly and ill-tempered on first waking in the
morning, even when he had gone to bed in a good humour, as his servants
knew to their cost.

"Your lordship had much better wait a little while, or call again later
in the day," said the valet persuasively, in answer to the marquis. "My
lord, the duke, has not summoned me yet, and I would not dare--"

"Go this instant to your master and announce the Marquis de Bruyeres,"
interrupted that gentleman, in loud, angry tones, "or I will force the
door and admit myself to his presence. I MUST speak to him, and that at
once, on important business, in which your master's honour is involved."

"Ah! that makes a difference," said the servant, promptly, "why didn't
your lordship mention it in the first place? I will go and tell my lord,
the duke, forthwith; he went to bed in such a furious, blood-thirsty
mood last night that I am sure he will be enchanted at the prospect of a
duel this morning--delighted to have a pret