lodged in M. de Chandour's neck, and he dropped before he could
return the shot. The house-surgeon at the hospital has just said that
M. de Chandour will have a wry neck for the rest of his days. I came to
tell you how it ended, lest you should go to Mme. de Bargeton's or show
yourself in Angouleme, for some of M. de Chandour's friends might call
you out."

As she spoke, the apprentice brought in Gentil, M. de Bargeton's
footman. The man had come with a note for Lucien; it was from Louise.

"You have doubtless heard the news," she wrote, "of the duel between
Chandour and my husband. We shall not be at home to any one to-day. Be
careful; do not show yourself. I ask this in the name of the affection
you bear me. Do you not think that it would be best to spend this
melancholy day in listening to your Beatrice, whose whole life has been
changed by this event, who has a thousand things to say to you?"

"Luckily, my marriage is fixed for the day after to-morrow," said David,
"and you will have an excuse for not going to see Mme. de Bargeton quite
so often."

"Dear David," returned Lucien, "she asks me to go to her to-day; and I
ought to do as she wishes, I think; she knows better than we do how I
should act in the present state of things."

"Then is everything ready here?" asked Mme. Chardon.

"Come and see," cried David, delighted to exhibit the transformation
of the first floor. Everything there was new and fresh; everything was
pervaded by the sweet influences of early married days, still crowned
by the wreath of orange blossoms and the bridal veil; days when
the springtide of love finds its reflection in material things, and
everything is white and spotless and has not lost its bloom.

"Eve's home will be fit for a princess," said the mother, "but you have
spent too much, you have been reckless."

David smiled by way of answer. But Mme. Chardon had touched the sore
spot in a hidden wound which caused the poor lover cruel pangs. The cost
of carrying out his ideas had far exceeded his estimates; he could not
afford to build above the shed. His mother-in-law must wait awhile for
the home he had meant to make for her. There is nothing more keenly
painful to a generous nature than a failure to keep such promises as
these; it is like mortification to the little vanities of affection,
as they may be styled. David sedulously hid his embarrassment to spare
Lucien; he was afraid that Lucien might be overwhelmed by the sacr