Part 39 (1/2)

The doctor with an expression of great distress, walking feebly, pa.s.sed by Maurice, who would have stopped him.

”No, no. What? It is impossible.... You are not ill.... Leave me, dear sir.... I ... I must...”

He stammered unintelligible phrases, hastening his steps. Maurice re-entered the hall. He met the musician Xavier Flamand, who said, ”I just saw the Count Styvens go out.”

”At this hour?” exclaimed Montagnac, looking at the Duke.

”He has gone to meet his mother at the station. She arrives at eight o'clock. It is only seven, he will arrive half an hour too soon.”

”He is a dutiful son,” said Montagnac. ”I am surprised that he has not taken his fiancee.”

Maurice raised his head. ”Then the Marquis knows nothing!” he said to himself.

He reflected, ”How dense I am growing. Evidently neither the Duke nor Albert has told anyone the motive of their quarrel.”

Jean came up and cut short his monologue.

”I think that the two other seconds are Count Alfred Montagnac, the Marquis's brother, and Captain Frederic Chevalier. Here they come now.”

Indeed the three seconds had just come up to the Marquis, who asked Maurice to excuse him. ”I will be back in a few moments, dear M.

Renaud.”

The Duke dropped down by Maurice.

”I believe the fete will be a great success, but I wonder if you long to have it over as heartily as I do.”

”I regret,” replied Maurice, ”that our hostess ever thought of it, and that we ever had anything to do with it.”

”Would you also regret having me for your cousin?”

”No, you know very well that I would not, but....”

”But?”

”I know....”

”You know?”

”Yes, I know.”

”Who has told you?”

The Duke's face grew stern.

”No one, I give you my word, but I have guessed; it was not very difficult....”

”Then, my dear Maurice, I must ask you to remain absolutely silent.

None of our seconds know the real reason of our meeting. None of them will ever know. This duel will be to the death, by the wish of Count Styvens, who has found himself justifiably offended.”