Volume V Part 92 (1/2)
”Everyone to his taste”
”True By the hy did you send ht with pistols, for I never use swords with unknown persons”
”What do youht with pistols, and you cannot co , no doubt you are in the right; but I aive hen I assure you that you will layso Very often the first shot is a miss, and if that is the case with both of us, I proe , though, in my opinion, a pistol duel is a barbarous affair I accept, but on the following conditions: You ive ht with swords till the first blood or to the death, whichever you prefer Call for me at three o'clock, and choose soood You are a good fellow, allow me to embrace you Give me your word of honour not to say a word about it to anyone, for if you did we should be arrested i; the project is too dear to me”
”Good Farewell till three o'clock”
As soon as the brave braggart had leftapart, and went to Careat confidence
”Take this packet to the king,” I said, ”if I happen to be killed Youto happen, but do not say a word to anyone, or you will have me for your bitterest enemy, as it would mean loss of honour to me”
”I understand You may reckon on my discretion, and I hope the affair may be ended honourably and prosperously for you But take a piece of friendly advice--don't spare your opponent, were it the king hiht cost you your life I know that by experience”
”I will not forget Farewell”
We kissed each other, and I ordered an excellent dinner, for I had noCampioni came in to dinner at one o'clock, and at dessert I had a visit fro counts, with their tutor, Bertrand, a kindly Swiss They itnesses to my cheerfulness and the excellent appetite hich I ate At half-past two I diso down directly Branicki's carriage appeared He drove up in a travelling carriage and six; two groo saddle-horses, went in front, followed by his two aide-de-cae stood four servants I hastened to descend, and found eneral and an arave me his place, and I ordered my servants not to follow ht want the”
”If I had as ree to your proposition; but as it is I shall do still better without any at all If need be, your excellency will see that I aave me his hand, and assured me they should wait on me before himself
I sat down, and ent off
It would have been absurd if I had asked where ere going, so I held ue, for at such moments a man should take heed to his words
Branicki was silent, and I thought the best thing I could do would be to engage him in a trivial conversation
”Does your excellency intend spending the spring at Warsaw?”
”I had thought of doing so, but yousomewhere else”
”Oh, I hope not!”
”Have you seen any military service?”
”Yes; but may I ask why your excellency asks me the question, for--”
”I had no particular reason; it was only for the sake of saying so”