Part 28 (1/2)
”There, that's where I shall put my bullet.”
”And yourself?”
”I shall not be touched.”
”But, at least, wait for the issue of the duel, before you send your letter.”
”It would be perfectly useless.”
He rang, the servant appeared.
”Joseph,” said he, ”take this letter to the post.”
”But have you seen your dead brother?”
”Yes,” he answered.
It is a very strange thing the occurrence of these two duels so close together, and in each of which one of the two combatants was doomed.
While we were talking the Baron Giordano arrived. It was eight o'clock, so we started.
Lucien was very anxious to arrive first, so we were on the field ten minutes before the hour.
Our adversaries arrived at nine o'clock punctually. They came on horseback, followed by a groom also on horseback.
M. de Chateau Renaud had his hand in the breast of his coat. I at first thought he was carrying his arm in a sling.
The gentlemen dismounted twenty paces from us, and gave their bridles to the groom.
Monsieur de Chateau Renaud remained apart, but looked steadfastly at Lucien, and I thought he became paler. He turned aside and amused himself knocking off the little flowers with his riding whip.
”Well, gentlemen, here we are!” said MM. de Chateaugrand and de Boissy, ”but you know our conditions. This duel is to be the last, and no matter what the issue may be, M. de Chateau Renaud shall not have to answer to any one for the double result.”
”That is understood,” we replied. Then Lucien bowed a.s.sent.
”You have the weapons, gentlemen?” said the Viscount.
”Here are the same pistols.”
”And they are unknown to M. de Franchi?”
”Less known to him than to M. de Chateau Renaud who has already used them once. M. de Franchi has not even seen them.”
”That is sufficient, gentlemen. Come, Chateau Renaud!”
We immediately entered the wood, and each one felt, as he revisited the fatal spot, that a tragedy more terrible still was about to be enacted.
We soon arrived in the little dell.