him.

Belleville threw his pistol to the ground, and drawing his gold
snuff-box from his vest-pocket with his small white hands, adorned with
cuffs of lace, he played carelessly upon the lid; then opened it, and
slowly and gracefully took a pinch of snuff, saying, coolly, "I await
your ball."

Marshal raised his pistol and aimed directly at the head of his enemy,
who looked him firmly in the eye. The appearance of this youthful,
fresh, and brave face softened, against his will, the noble and
magnanimous soul of this good man. He let his arm fall. "Sir," said he,
"you are so young, perhaps your life may improve. I will not kill you.
But you need for this life a great, impressive lesson and a lasting
warning. I will therefore shoot you through the right leg, just above
the knee." [Footnote: The words of Baron Marshal.--See Thiebault.]
He raised the pistol quickly, and fired. As the smoke was lifted,
Belleville was seen lying bleeding on the ground. The shot had gone
right through the knee and broken the knee-pan.

As his second bowed over him, Belleville whispered, with broken eyes and
trembling lips: "My legacy! do not forget my legacy! I believe I shall
die; this pain is horrible."

The Frenchman took the paper from his pocket and concealed it "I will
be avenged," said Belleville, with a convulsive smile, then sank into
unconsciousness.

Belleville was placed in the carriage of Baron Marshal and carried to
the city. Baron Marshal went immediately to the commandant of Berlin,
gave notice of what had taken place, and declared himself under arrest.

The commandant took his hand kindly. "The laws forbid duelling, and I
must consider you under arrest until I receive further orders. That
is to say, house-arrest; you must give me your word not to leave your
house. I will send a courier immediately to the king. I was in the
castle last night, and witness to all the circumstances which led to
this duel, witnessed the conduct of these Frenchmen, and in your place I
would have acted just as you have done."

The French officers fulfilled the vow they had made to their wounded
comrade; they had promised to revenge him on Fraulein Marshal and the
other ladies of the court.

The morning after the duel, on the corners of all the principal streets,
placards were pasted, which were soon surrounded by crowds of men,
exhibiting astonishment and indignation. These placards contained a
register of all the young and beautiful women