hat your cavalier
had no inclination to fight this duel. Besides, I thought of you--of
your great grief if he should fall, and thus deprive you of your pretty
plaything before you had time to replace it. You know that my heart was
ever soft and compassionate. I resolved, therefore, to be merciful to
le beau cousin. Arrived on the ground, I proposed to Kindar, instead
of fighting with me, to sign a paper which I had prepared, in which he
implores my pardon and my mercy, acknowledges himself to be an unworthy
scoundrel and liar, and solemnly swears that every accusation he brought
against me in the letter you copied was a lie--declares me to be an
irreproachable cavalier, who has been deceived and betrayed by himself
and Lady Elliot. Baron Kindar found this somewhat strongly expressed,
and preferred to fight rather than sign it."

"God be thanked!" murmured Camilla.

"Well, we were resolved to fight, and I was obliging enough to give
Kindar the first shot. He accepted this advantage readily, and I confess
he aimed well. His hand trembled, and he shot too high, just over my
head. Now it was my turn. I raised the pistol, and I swear to you,
madame, my hand did not tremble. Perhaps Kindar noticed this--perhaps
he wished to live and find a compensation in your love for the terrible
torments of the last few days. It suffices to say, he called out to
me not to shoot, as he was ready to sign the paper confessing he was
a scoundrel and a liar. He signed it kneeling at my feet, and begging
pardon. I then gave him permission to return to Berlin. For myself, I
drove to Sans-Souci, asked an audience of the king, and obtained his
consent to a divorce. You know, madame, that I have a soft and yielding
nature. I never could refuse a wish of your heart. I therefore implored
his majesty to allow of your immediate marriage with Baron Kindar."

"Never, never, will that marriage take place!" cried Camilla, springing
from the divan and gazing with abhorrence upon Kindar.

"It will take place!" said Lord Elliot, firmly and imperiously; "you
love him, you betrayed me for his sake--he is a base coward, despised by
every man, but still you will marry him. We are divorced, and the king
commands this marriage. From this hour we are nothing to each other--you
are the betrothed of Baron von Kindar. Allow me to give you this paper,
which he signed to save his pitiful life, as a bridal present."

He laid the paper upon the table, and bowed to Camil