your duty. You will therefore have the
goodness to give me the satisfaction due to a man of honor.'

'I do not know,' answered Baumgardt, 'whether I as a general am bound
to fight with a captain.'

'But as a cavalier you dare not refuse satisfaction to the count
Gyllenstierna,' cried Arwed warmly. 'If, however, you have any doubts
upon that point, the corps of officers at the capitol may decide the
matter.'

'I doubt only,' said Baumgardt scornfully, 'whether you can find any
one willing to act as your second in so extraordinary an affair, in
which I see only the quixotism of youth, which I am willing to pardon.'

'I have consented to act as the count's second,' said Rank, who had
just joined them.

'Your excellency!' exclaimed Baumgardt with surprise. 'That is indeed
quite another affair. I fight with pistols, and fire advancing,' said
he to Arwed, after a moment's reflection.

'The choice was yours,' answered Arwed, bowing. 'I thank you for
meeting my wishes in this manner. When shall it be?'

'To-morrow morning at ten o'clock, upon the Peckholm, opposite the
park,' answered Baumgardt, gloomily.

'I shall have the honor to await you there,' said Arwed, with a very
low bow, and turned upon his heel.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The next morning Arwed was walking silently up and down the banks of
the Peckholm with lieutenant general Rank, awaiting the arrival of the
boat which was to bring his adversary. Arwed's pistols with their
apparatus were lying upon his cloak, which was spread out under a tall
pine tree.

'You are so tranquil, my friend!' said Rank, breaking the long silence;
'indeed, the moments passed in awaiting a duel are most intolerable. I
know it by my own experience. Perhaps you begin to regret your
proceeding? It is not to be doubted that the pistol shot which you are
about to exchange will be the burial salute of your happiness in this
kingdom--for the queen will never pardon you. Therefore, if your
resolution has become somewhat weaker, it is yet time. Major general
Baumgardt is too happy with his new promotion and his new orders, not
to wish to wear his honors some years yet, and will very willingly
agree to any other reparation.'

'No, general,' answered Arwed; 'God forbid that I should meanly convert
an honorable combat into a piece of buffoonery. A reconciliation
between a challenge and a duel, I have always deemed a contemptible
proceeding. It was the firmnes