The Suitors of Yvonne

d the door for him, that cleared my mind of any doubts touching the irrevocable character of his determination. T

ed his coach drive away in the drizzling rain, scattering the crowd of

see fit to overset his coach and break his neck before he reac

as my custom to break my fast. Then, whilst I munched my crust, I strode to and fro in the little

side him at St. Germain; there was a slender chance of saving him if I went, whilst, if I stayed away, the

yet, so persistently did my thoughts revert t

led Michelot. When he came, I asked him if he were acquainted with M. de Canap

u will watch the house until he comes forth, then follow him, and bring me word thereafter where he is to be found. Should he be already abroad b

for half an hour, returning at the end of that time with the informat

on my boots, girt on my sword, and taking my hat and cloak, I sallied out

reshold of the "Soleil" and flung my drippin

ed at the back of my head, and a general bearing that for aggressiveness would be hard to surpass, I strode up to their table, and stood for a moment surveying them with an insolent stare that made them pause in their conversation. They raised their noble heads and bestowed upon m

ost anything?" St.

quoth Canaples with

s, with a swart, cruel face that was nevertheless

naples's rejoinder that I had no

ow was pucker

why not,

one who fastens quarrels upon schoolboys would

oudly that the hum of voices in the tavern became

o say that I can find no more fitting express

blecloth, and with a sudden tug I swep

ccupants of the room, besides,-whilst poor Vilmorin, who stood trembling like a maid who for the fi

e calmest in that room, saving perhaps myself. Wi

ll the proof of my courage that he may desir

ving nod and a beaming smile. "Be good eno

e moment," he answered calml

onsieur, that you dare not light me now lest you shoul

ed St. Auban, "this inso

e, gentlemen," I replied. "My pres

g on St. Auban's lips, but Ca

broken gamester, a penniless adventurer, to tell Eugène de Canaples what he dares? Come, s

that after the fracas at the "Soleil" our meeting would go unattended. When we faced each other-Canaples and I-there were at least some twenty persons present, who came, despite the rain, to watch what they thought

t Canaples pompously announced that he would not risk a cold by stripping. With interest did I grimly answer that he need fear no cold whe

e. But I was strangely dispossessed of any doubts touching the outcome; this being due perchance to a vain confidence in my own skill, perchance to the spirit of contemptuou

d it was not without effect upon his nerves. Moreover, there is in steel a subtle magnetism which is the index of one's antagonist; and from the moment that our blades slithered one against the other I make no doubt but that Canaples grew aware of the confident, almost exultant

ght of blows. I contented myself with tapping his blade aside, and when at length, after essaying every tr

my thigh, but did more damage to my breeches than my skin, in exchange I touched him playfully on the shoulder, and the sting of it drove

though our combat were but on the poi

g wider, and the perspiration streaming down his ashen face. Panting he went, in that backward flight before my onslaught, defending himself as best he could, never thinking of a riposte-beaten already. Back, and yet back he went, until he reached the railings

ere for a moment he hung swaying and gasping. Then his head fell

insensible. I mastered myself as best I might, and, dissembling my hard breathing, I wiped my blade with a kerchief, an act which looked so calm and callous that it drew from the crowd-for a crowd

ng the bloodstained kerchief into their very midst. The audacity of t

ds me with a face that was whiter than that of the prostrate man, he proved himself so utterly bere

and thrusting his clenched fist within an inch of my fa

n, so was but natural that for answer I caught the dainty Vicomte a buffet that

e another example before you believe

t more he said was drowned by the roar of anger that burst from the onlookers, and it was l

ave silence, "hear me. I, a friend of M. de Canaples, tell you that you wrong

eager to be bidden, and amidst that crowd, as I have said, there were a score or so of gentlemen of the Court, who-with scant regard for the right or wrong of the ca

kling of an eye. Thereupon St. Auban, turning to me, counselled me in a whisper to be gone, whilst the tide of opinion flowed in my favour. Intent to act up

o answered me, sco

he does not, his recovery will

d gone; but, like a fool, I must needs

ill be no duel at St.

saw in the faces of Montmédy and St. Auban and h

your object, eh? That you had fallen low, Master de Luynes, I kne

u d

spy and bravo of the Cardinal-that your object shall be defeated. That,

that not to-night nor to-morrow nor the next day shall that duel be fought. Cowards and poltroons you are, who seek to murder a beardless boy who has injured none of you! But, by my soul! every ma

I turned and left them before they had