d on every hand, their
countrymen gathering round the antagonists on either side, both of whom
maintained for some minutes a perfect silence. The Duke was the first to
speak. "Gentlemen," said he, "you have heard an expression addressed to
me which no Frenchman listens to without inflicting chastisement on the
speaker--I do not ask--I do not care in the least--who this person may
be--what his rank and position in life; I am ready to admit him to the
fullest equality with myself. It only remains that I should satisfy
myself of certain doubts, which his own manner has originated. It may
be that he cannot call me, or any other gentleman, to account for his
words."

Linton's face twitched with short convulsive jerks as he listened, and
then, crossing the room to where the Duke stood, he struck him with his
glove across the face, while, with a very shout of passion, he uttered
the one word, "Coward!" The scene became now one of the wildest
confusion. The partisanship of country surrounded either with a group,
who in loud tones expressed their opinions, and asked for explanations
of what had occurred. That some gross insult had been put upon Linton
was the prevailing impression; but how originating, or of what
nature, none knew, nor did the principals seem disposed to afford the
information.

"I tell you, Frobisher," said Linton, angrily, "it is a matter does not
admit of explanation."

"_Parbleu_, sir! you have placed it out of the reach of such," said an
old French officer, "and I trust you will feel the consequences."

The chaos of tongues, loud in altercation and dispute, now burst
forth again, some asserting that the cause of quarrel should be openly
declared at once, others averring that the opprobrious epithet applied
by Linton to the Duke effectually debarred negotiation, and left no
other arbitrament than the pistol. In the midst of this tumult, where
angry passions were already enlisted, and insolent rejoinders passed
from mouth to mouth, a still louder uproar was now heard in the
direction of the _salon_, and the crash of a breaking door, and the
splintering noise of the shattered wood, overtopped the other sounds.

"The commissaire de police!" cried some one, and the words were
electric. The hours of play were illegal,--the habits of the house such
as to implicate all in charges more or less disgraceful; and immediately
a general rush was made for escape,--some seeking the well-known private
issues from the