nage to keep you more quiet--mentally as
well as physically."

His patient, yielding with rather an ill grace to this sensible advice,
sank back wearily upon his pillows, closed his eyes, and soon fell
asleep--where we will leave him, enjoying his much needed repose.

Meantime the Marquis de Bruyeres and de Sigognac had quietly returned to
their hotel, where, like well-bred gentlemen, they did not breathe even
a hint of what had taken place. But walls have ears they say, and eyes
as well it would appear, for they certainly see as much as they ever
hear. In the neighbourhood of the apparently solitary, deserted spot
where the duel had taken place, more than one inquisitive, hidden
observer had closely watched the progress of the combat, and had not
lost a moment after it was over in spreading the news of it; so that
by breakfast-time all Poitiers was in a flutter of excitement over the
intelligence that the Duke of Vallombreuse had been wounded in a duel
with an unknown adversary, and was exhausting itself in vain conjectures
as to who the valiant stranger could possibly be. No one thought of de
Sigognac, who had led the most retired life imaginable ever since his
arrival; remaining quietly at the hotel all day, and showing only his
stage mask, not his own face, at the theatre in the evening.

Several gentlemen of his acquaintance sent to inquire ceremoniously
after the Duke of Vallombreuse, giving their messengers instructions to
endeavour to get some information from his servants about the mysterious
duel, but they were as taciturn as the mutes of a seraglio, for the very
excellent and sufficient reason that they knew nothing what ever about
it. The young duke, by his great wealth, his overweening pride, his
uncommon good looks, and his triumphant success among fair ladies
everywhere, habitually excited much secret jealousy and hatred among
his associates, which not one of them dared to manifest openly--but they
were mightily pleased by his present discomfiture.

It was the first check he had ever experienced, and all those who
had been hurt or offended by his arrogance--and they were legion--now
rejoiced in his mortification. They could not say enough in praise of
his successful antagonist, though they had never seen him, nor had any
idea as to what manner of than he might be. The ladies, who nearly all
had some cause of complaint against the haughty young noble man, as he
was wont to boast loudly of his triumphs,