her ladyship as even he
could have desired.

The eastern sky was all aflame with the radiance of the coming sun when
Leander, well wrapped in his warm cloak, was driven back to Poitiers.
As he lifted a corner of one of the carefully lowered curtains, to see
which side of the town they were approaching, he caught sight of the
Marquis de Bruyeres and the Baron de Sigognac, still at some distance,
who were walking briskly along the road towards him, on their way to the
spot designated for the duel.

Leander let the curtain drop, so as not to be seen by the marquis, who
was almost grazed by the carriage wheels as they rolled by him, and a
satisfied smile played round his lips; he was revenged--the beating was
atoned for now.

The place selected for the hostile meeting between the Baron de Sigognac
and the Duke of Vallombreuse was sheltered from the cold north wind by
a high wall, which also screened the combatants from the observation of
those passing along the road. The ground was firm, well trodden down,
without stones, tufts of grass, or inequalities of any kind, which might
be in the way of the swordsmen, and offered every facility to men of
honour to murder each other after the most correct and approved fashion.
The Duke of Vallombreuse and the Chevalier de Vidalinc, followed by a
surgeon, arrived at the rendezvous only a few seconds after the others,
and the four gentlemen saluted each other with the haughty courtesy and
frigid politeness becoming to well-bred men meeting for such a purpose.
The duke's countenance was expressive of the most careless indifference,
as he felt perfect confidence in his own courage and skill. The baron
was equally cool and collected, though it was his first duel, and a
little nervousness or agitation would have been natural and excusable.
The Marquis de Bruyeres watched him with great satisfaction, auguring
good things for their side from his quiet sang-froid. Vallombreuse
immediately threw off his cloak and hat, and unfastened his pourpoint,
in which he was closely imitated by de Sigognac. The marquis and the
chevalier measured the swords of the combatants, which were found to be
of equal length, and then each second placed his principal in position,
and put his sword in his hand.

"Fall to, gentlemen, and fight like men of spirit, as you are," said the
marquis.

"A needless recommendation that," chimed in the Chevalier de Vidalinc;
"they go at it like lions---we shall have a supe