denly clothed himself in the eyes
of Gorka's seconds by pronouncing the name, still legendary in the
provinces and to the foreigner, of Gramont-Caderousse--'Sic transit
gloria mundi'! On leaving that rendezvous the excellent man really had
tears in his eyes.

"It is my fault," he moaned, "it is my fault. With that Hafner we should
have obtained such a fine official plan by mixing in a little of ours. He
offered it to us himself.... Brave Chapron! It is I who have brought him
into this dilemma!.... I owe it to him not to abandon him, but to follow
him to the end.... Here I shall be assisting at a duel, at my age!....
Did you see how those young snobs lowered their voices when I mentioned
my encounter with poor Caderousse?.... Fifty-two years and a month, and
not to know yet how to conduct one's self! Let us go to the Rue Leopardi.
I wish to ask pardon of our client, and to give him some advice. We will
take him to one of my old friends who has a garden near the Villa
Pamphili, very secluded. We will spend the rest of the afternoon
practising.... Ah! Accursed choler! Yes, it would have been so simple to
accept the other's plan yesterday. By the exchange of two or three words,
I am sure it could have been arranged."

"Console yourself, Marquis," replied Florent, when the unhappy nobleman
had described to him the deplorable result of his negotiations. "I like
that better. Monsieur Gorka needs correction. I have only one regret,
that of not having given it to him more thoroughly.... Since I shall have
to fight a duel, I would at least have had my money's worth!"

"And you have never used a pistol?" asked Montfanon.

"Bah! I have hunted a great deal and I believe I can shoot."

"That is like night and day," interrupted the Marquis. "Hold yourself in
readiness. At three o'clock come for me and I will give you a lesson. And
remember there is a merciful God for the brave!"

Although Florent deserved praise for the cheerfulness of which his reply
was proof, the first moments which he spent alone after the departure of
his two witnesses were very painful.

That which Chapron experienced during those few moments was simply very
natural anxiety, the enervation caused by looking at the clock, and
saying:

"In twenty-four hours the hand will be on this point of the dial. And
shall I still be living?".... He was, however, manly, and knew how to
control himself. He struggled against the feeling of weakness, and, while
awaiting