waits upon doubt
and mystery; and some of this vague awe crept over Camille Dujardin at
Raynal's mysterious speech, and his grave, quiet, significant manner.

Had he discovered something, and what? For Josephine's sake, more than
his own, Camille was on his guard directly.

Raynal looked at him in silence a moment.

"What?" said he with a slight sneer, "has it never occurred to you
that I MUST have a serious word to say to you? First, let me put you
a question: did they treat you well at my house? at the chateau de
Beaurepaire?"

"Yes," faltered Camille.

"You met, I trust, all the kindness and care due to a wounded soldier
and an officer of merit. It would annoy me greatly if I thought you were
not treated like a brother in my house."

Colonel Dujardin writhed inwardly at this view of matters. He could not
reply in few words. This made him hesitate.

His inquisitor waited, but, receiving no reply, went on, "Well, colonel,
have you shown the sense of gratitude we had a right to look for in
return? In a word, when you left Beaurepaire, had your conscience
nothing to reproach you with?"

Dujardin still hesitated. He scarcely knew what to think or what to say.
But he thought to himself, "Who has told him? does he know all?"

"Colonel Dujardin, I am the husband of Josephine, the son of Madame de
Beaurepaire, and the brother of Rose. You know very well what brings me
here. Your answer?"

"Colonel Raynal, between men of honor, placed as you and I are, few
words should pass, for words are idle. You will never prove to me that
I have wronged you: I shall never convince you that I have not. Let us
therefore close this painful interview in the way it is sure to close. I
am at your service, at any hour and place you please."

"And pray is that all the answer you can think of?" asked Raynal
somewhat scornfully.

"Why, what other answer can I give you?"

"A more sensible, a more honest, and a less boyish one. Who doubts that
you can fight, you silly fellow? haven't I seen you? I want you to show
me a much higher sort of courage: the courage to repair a wrong, not the
paltry valor to defend one."

"I really do not understand you, sir. How can I undo what is done?"

"Why, of course you cannot. And therefore I stand here ready to forgive
all that is past; not without a struggle, which you don't seem to
appreciate."

Camille was now utterly mystified. Raynal continued, "But of course it
is upon condition that you co