ight, Morlache." And with this abrupt leave-taking he
withdrew.

CHAPTER XXX. A SAD EXIT.

The French Secretary of Legation was just going to bed as his servant
handed him a card from Lord Norwood, with a few words scribbled in
pencil.

"Yes, by all means. Tell my Lord to come in," said he; and Norwood
entered.

"You remember an old pledge you once made me," said the Viscount,
smiling. "I have come to claim it."

"_Diantre!_ the case must be pressing that would not wait till
daylight."

"So it is; and so you will agree with me in thinking it when I tell you
all," said Norwood. "The first point is, may I reckon upon you?"

"Of course; my word is sacred."

"Secondly, have you pistols that you can depend upon? Mine have been
stopped at Milan by the police."

"They are Jacquard's best," said the Frenchman; "and in _your_ hand
ought not to disgrace their maker."

"Dress, then, and come along with me. This affair must be disposed of
quickly."

"I'm at your orders," said the Frenchman, gayly. "I suppose you will be
kind enough to tell me something more as we go along."

Norwood nodded an assent, and sat down before the fire and crossed his
arms on his breast.

"Was it a quarrel at play?" asked the Frenchman, after an interval of
silence.

"No!" was the abrupt reply.

"All the better. It is the only affair of this kind I cannot endure. Is
there a woman in it?"

"Yes."

"Ah! I perceive," said the other, with a laugh. "A married woman?"

"Yes."

"And who is this happy husband, this time?" asked he, flippantly.

"I am," replied Norwood, in a low and solemn voice.

"_You! you!_ I never thought--never suspected _you_ of being married,
Norwood. Pray be a little more explicit. Let me hear the whole story."

"Later on, not now. I want to think of something else at this moment Are
your pistols fine in the trigger?"

"Excessively so; a fly would almost suffice to move them. Is he
English?"

"No."

"Not a countryman of my own, I hope?"

"No. It is Midchekoff, the Russian."

"_Diantre!_ what a mark to shoot at! But they tell me that he never does
go out,--that he refuses this kind of thing."

"He shall not do so this time," said Norwood, with a vehement energy of
manner.

"Well, I 'm ready now; but I must say that I should like to hear
something of what we are about."

"There will be ample time for all as we go along. We shall drive to the
villa. It is necessary to obtain an interview with