The Companions of Jehu

time for his travelling companion, was witty and animated, and their approach to the duelling ground only served to redouble his gayety. To one unacquainted with the obj

carriage. Finding on inquiry that they were the first to

a fine echo here." And he gave one or two cries

ous echo. I know none save that of the Seinonnetta, a

o bid defiance to the human throat with its rebellious music. Sir John watched Roland, and listened to him with an astonishment

I think your live

rrogatively. But seeing that Sir John

t makes yo

y gay not to be pro

nomaly asto

ause I know that it has alw

owing the secret. Well, I

't want to

you must admit you would be glad to

'm interes

the least exertion. Judge for yourself how pleasant for a soldier! You can understand that, once I understood my condition, I determined incontinently to die with all the glory possible. Another more fortunate than I would have succeeded a hundred times already. But I'm bewitched; I am impervious alike to bullets and balls; even the swords seem to fear to shatter themselves upon my skin. Yet I never miss an opportunity; that you mus

ing the same rough and rocky path that Roland and Sir John had

ed. "Why three, whe

Barjols, as much in your interest as in his own, ask

shly demanded R

s wounded. A man's life can often

rtesies beforehand, as your ancestors did at Fontenoy, is all right; but, once the swords are unsheathed or the pistols loaded, one life must pay for the trouble they have tak

pose, M.

rd of honor, my lord, or devi

was livid, and his limbs quivered as though in extreme terror. Si

of my charming malady. The mere thought of surgical instruments,

an instant you we

rive and you are dosing me with smelling salts like a hysterical woman. Do y

s unable to answer Roland. They bowed, and Roland, with a smile that reveale

o on toward the fountain; I wil

s wanted to see that famous fountain of Vaucluse,

fresche e

belle

che sola a

may never have another.

you'll find it at the turn of the road, at

d, "you are the best

n the direction of the fountain, humming the charmin

, a littl

thine hea

g that in

d my heart

rd beaut

er shall

, my fick

will tur

thing at a feminine quality. His cold methodical mind understood nothing of that nervous impulsive

h rather than a locksmith, and opened the box. The weapons were magnificent, although of great simplicity. They came from Manton's workshop, the grandfather of the man who is still considered one of the best gunsmiths in London. He handed

know these weapons?"

m," replied Sir John, "I

e Valensolle, "a sim

these conditions determined, the pistols were loaded. They were then placed, loaded, in the box,

slope of the mountain, and throwing pebbles into the fountain. Sir John opened his lips to tell

shepherds of the mountains, showing them, of course, nothing more than her head with its long locks and her beautiful bare shoulders and arms. The fools, caught by this semblance of a woman, draw nearer, beckoning to her to come to them, while she on her side signs to them to go to her. The unwary spirits adv

his eyes bent upon the azure d

Perhaps were I to try it, my lord, it might be surer than M. de Barjols' bullet. However, it

is mobility of mind, he led him back to the others who awa

d a ruined castle where the shepherds were wont to seek shelter when the mistral overtook them. A flat space, some hundred and fifty feet lo

gentlemen,"

ntlemen," replied

John. Then addressing M. de Valensolle, he added: "Repeat them, monsieur; yo

spokesman, I obey you." Then exchanging bows with Sir John, he continued: "Gentlemen, it is agreed that you stand at forty paces, that y

assent, and with one voice, and al

pis

s he offered it to him open. The latter wished to yield the choice of weapons to his opponent;

ou have, I am told, renounced your advantages. The least I can do

r John offered the other to Roland, who took it, and, without even examining i

had measured forty paces, stakin

re after me?" h

latter: "M. de Montrevel and

aked a second cane

aid he, "when

neither had any advantage of sun or ground. Roland tossed off hat and coat, stationed himself forty paces from M. de Barjols, facing him. Both, one

mountain's swift incline and gigantic peak. But on the other side, that is to

with its girdle of walls and its vast palace, like a crouching lion, seeming to hold the panting city in its claws. Beyond Avignon, a luminous sweep, like a river of molten gold, defined the Rhone. Beyond the Rhone, a deep-hued azure

e of the Southern race which counts among its ancestors Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Spaniards. The other, with his rosy skin, large blue eyes,

eater than single combat between two men. One might have thought it was a duel of

expressed that filled Roland's mind and

conds, duel, adversary, lost as he was in contemplation of this magnific

ready, sir," s

d sta

id he. "You should not have considered m

f this were an ordinary promenade, while his opponent, on the contrary, took all t

nxiety. The distance between the opponents lessened rapidly. M. de Barjols

urls, but did not touch him. The y

he, "what did

ur, fire!" sa

nt and motionless on the

ng. Since I have felt M. de Barjols' shot, I have a few words to say to him which I could not say before." Then, turning to

he w

fire, sir," repl

nderstand my impetuosity, and perhaps excuse it, when you he

replied the y

onor and delicacy is such that a miserable Italian proverb, inspired by ill-natured losers, cannot reflect discr

has devoted the influence which his genius gives him over France as Monk d

mile, "that is asking too mu

sieur, fire!" Then as Roland made no haste to obey this injunction

e a movement as if he int

and speech that prevented this, "Do not fire in the air, I beg,

left his body, "this is the first time I have done so much for an

ed his arm and fired, wit

ack and forth, turned around and fell face down upon t

straight to Roland and drew him to the s

nd with a sigh; "but you are my wi

During this time M. de Valensolle picked up the pistol which had escaped

an, motioning toward Alfre

," replied

, wiping away the sweat which suddenly inundated hi

lensolle; "only, permit me to say

cond with exquisite politeness,

" resumed Roland,

admiration, "you are one of those men who are mad

ger a

lions litter

the el