igure at the other end, and at once recognized the
chevalier, who was too thoughtful even to notice that he was passing any
one.

Dubois wanted a quarrel, and he saw that he must take the initiative. He
turned and stopped before the chevalier, who was trying to discover
which were the windows of the room in which Helene was.

"My friend," said he roughly, "what are you doing at this hour before
this house?"

Gaston was obliged to bring back his thoughts to the materialism of
life.

"Did you speak to me, monsieur?" said he.

"Yes," replied Dubois, "I asked what you were doing here."

"Pass on," said the chevalier; "I do not interfere with you; do not
interfere with me."

"That might be," said Dubois, "if your presence did not annoy me."

"This lane, narrow as it is, is wide enough for both, monsieur; walk on
one side, and I will walk on the other."

"I wish to walk alone," said Dubois, "therefore, I beg you will choose
some other window; there are plenty at Rambouillet to choose from."

"And why should I not look at these windows if I choose?" asked Chanlay.

"Because they are those of my wife," replied Dubois.----"Of your wife!"

"Yes; of my wife, who has just arrived from Paris, and of whom I am
jealous, I warn you."

"Diable," murmured Gaston; "he must be the husband of the person to whom
Helene has been given in charge;" and in order to conciliate a person
who might be useful to him--

"Monsieur," said he politely, "in that case I am willing to leave a
place where I was walking without any object in view."

"Oh," thought Dubois, "here is a polite conspirator; I must have a
quarrel."

Gaston was going away.

"You are deceiving me, monsieur," said Dubois.

The chevalier turned as though he had been bitten by a serpent; however,
prudent for the sake of Helene, and for the mission he had undertaken,
he restrained himself.

"Is it," said he, "because I was polite that you disbelieve my word?"

"You spoke politely because you were afraid; but it is none the less
true that I saw you looking at that window."

"Afraid--I afraid!" cried Chanlay, facing him; "did you say that I was
afraid?"

"I did," replied Dubois.

"Do you, then, seek a quarrel?"

"It appears so. I see you come from Quimper--Corentin."

"Paques-Dieu!" said Gaston, drawing his sword, "draw!"

"And you, off with your coat," said Dubois, throwing off his cloak, and
preparing to do the same with his coat.

"Why so?" asked the c