But not to put you among the common men. You can stay in your
old quarters, and I will put the colonel into other, and perhaps better
ones. Of course I am bound to act justly towards him; and if he behaves
himself, he will be out on parole; but I will confine him to the road in
the west direction, so that you can keep out of his way."

Major Kelly was as good as his word. But Tournier had no intention of
keeping out of the colonel's way, whenever he should get out on parole.
The old feelings, natural but not Christian, had revived in him with a
sudden rush at the sight of the man, and he was completely carried away
by them. His only fear was lest, through precipitancy, or the
interference of others, he should be hindered from obtaining from
Fontenoy the satisfaction he demanded, if that be rightly satisfaction
which consists in killing or wounding another, or in being killed or
wounded oneself.

He never left the barracks for many days after this, but relapsed into
his old moody ways. Villemet could not make out what was the matter with
him.

One day they were walking together in the yard, when Tournier suddenly
said, "Villemet, I want you to do something for me. It will, perhaps, be
the last favour you will ever show me."

"Then I would rather not do it."

"But you must. Who do you think is in the prison at this present
moment?--Fontenoy. He came with the others some days ago."

"Is it possible?" cried Villemet, almost jumping with astonishment.

"And I want you to be my second: for as soon as ever he gets out on
parole, I mean to challenge him, and the duel must be _a l'ontrance_."

"With the greatest possible pleasure," said his friend.

But they had to wait. It was some time before Fontenoy was out on
parole. The major was in no hurry about it, out of consideration
probably for Tournier.

At last, one day, Villemet, who kept up a sharp enquiry, announced the
good news that the colonel was to be out next day. Both of them
accordingly were on the watch for him in the road; and, sure enough, saw
him coming along towards them, snuffing the air with great delight, and
looking about him with evident satisfaction. The satisfaction, however,
was not of long duration.

As the colonel's eye caught the first glimpse of two gentlemen
approaching him, he seemed to smell, as it were, something wrong, for

"Conscience does make cowards of us all";

and when he came near enough to distinguish feature