Volume V Part 91 (2/2)
”I have the honour to be, etc”
I sent this letter an hour before day-break to Branicki's lodging in the palace My ive the letter into the count's own hands, to wait for him to rise, and also for an answer
In half an hour I received the following answer:
”Sir,--I accept your proposal, and shall be glad if you will have the kindness to infor you
”I re him I would call on hi
Shortly after, I received a second letter, in which he said that I ht choose the arms and place, but that our differences must be settled in the course of the day
I sent hi, telling hiht choose any place beyond the ban In reply, I had the following:
”Sir,--You will greatly oblige e
”I have the honour to be, etc”
I replied that I had business all the day, and that as I had made up hting, I begged hi back his carriage
An hour later Branicki called in person, leaving his suite at the door
He ca with me to leave us alone, locked the door after them, and then sat down on my bed I did not understand what all this meant so I took up my pistols
”Don't be afraid,” said he, ”I am not come to assassinate you, but merely to say that I accept your proposal, on condition only that the duel shall take place to-day If not, never!”
”It is out of the question I have letters to write, and so”
”That will do afterwards In all probability you will not fall, and if you do I aive you Besides, a dead man need fear no reproaches”
”I want to make ; it will be tih for you to make your will in fifty years”
”But why should your excellency not wait till toht”
”You have nothing of the kind to fear fro will have us both arrested”
”How can he, unless you have told him about our quarrel?”
”Ah, you don't understand! Well, I aive you satisfaction, but it ood This duel is too dear toit Call for th”
”Certainly For ood dinner before”