Therewasanawfulsavageyell，aturmoilonthedarkpath，shotsfired，blows，groans:andwiththesoundofsmashedbushes，theshoutsofthepursuersandthescreamsofthepursued，theman-hunt，thewarder-hunt，passedbymeintotheinterioroftheisland。Iwasalone。AndIassureyou，monsieur，Iwasindifferenttoeverything。Afterstandingstillforawhile，IwalkedonalongthepathtillIkickedsomethinghard。I
stoopedandpickedupawarder\'srevolver。Ifeltwithmyfingersthatitwasloadedinfivechambers。InthegustsofwindIheardtheconvictscallingtoeachotherfaraway，andthenarollofthunderwouldcoverthesoughingandrustlingofthetrees。Suddenly，abiglightranacrossmypathverylowalongtheground。
Anditshowedawoman\'sskirtwiththeedgeofanapron。
\"Iknewthatthepersonwhocarrieditmustbethewifeoftheheadwarder。Theyhadforgottenallabouther，itseems。Ashotrangoutintheinterioroftheisland，andshecriedouttoherselfassheran。Shepassedon。Ifollowed，andpresentlyIsawheragain。
Shewaspullingatthecordofthebigbellwhichhangsattheendofthelanding-pier，withonehand，andwiththeothershewasswingingtheheavylanterntoandfro。ThisistheagreedsignalfortheIleRoyaleshouldassistanceberequiredatnight。Thewindcarriedthesoundawayfromourislandandthelightsheswungwashiddenontheshoresidebythefewtreesthatgrownearthewarders\'house。
\"Icameupquiteclosetoherfrombehind。Shewentonwithoutstopping，withoutlookingaside，asthoughshehadbeenallaloneontheisland。Abravewoman，monsieur。Iputtherevolverinsidethebreastofmyblueblouseandwaited。Aflashoflightningandaclapofthunderdestroyedboththesoundandthelightofthesignalforaninstant，butsheneverfaltered，pullingatthecordandswingingthelanternasregularlyasamachine。Shewasacomelywomanofthirty——nomore。Ithoughttomyself，\'Allthat\'snogoodonanightlikethis。\'AndImadeupmymindthatifabodyofmyfellow-convictscamedowntothepier——
whichwassuretohappensoon——IwouldshootherthroughtheheadbeforeIshotmyself。Iknewthe\'comrades\'well。Thisideaofminegavemequitean。
interestinlife，monsieur；andatonce，insteadofre-
mainingstupidlyexposedonthepier，Iretreatedalittlewayandcrouchedbehindabush。Ididnotin-
tendtoletmyselfbepounceduponunawaresandbepreventedperhapsfromrenderingasupremeservicetoatleastonehumancreaturebeforeIdiedmyself。
\"Butwemustbelievethesignalwasseen，forthegalleyfromIleRoyalecameoverinanastonishinglyshorttime。Thewomankeptrightontillthelightofherlanternflashedupontheofficerincommandandthebayonetsofthesoldiersintheboat。Thenshesatdownandbegantocry。
\"Shedidn\'tneedmeanymore。Ididnotbudge。
Somesoldierswereonlyintheirshirt-sleeves，otherswithoutboots，justasthecalltoarmshadfoundthem。
Theypassedbymybushatthedouble。Thegalleyhadbeensentawayformore；andthewomansatallalonecryingattheendofthepier，withthelanternstandingonthegroundnearher。
\"ThensuddenlyIsawinthelightattheendofthepiertheredpantaloonsoftwomoremen。Iwasover-
comewithastonishment。They，too，startedoffatarun。Theirtunicsflappedunbuttonedandtheywerebare-headed。Oneofthempantedouttotheother，\'Straighton，straighton!\'
\"Whereonearthdidtheyspringfrom，Iwondered。
SlowlyIwalkeddowntheshortpier。Isawthewoman\'sformshakenbysobsandheardhermoaningmoreandmoredistinctly，\'Oh，myman!mypoorman!
mypoorman!\'Istoleonquietly。Shecouldneitherhearnorseeanything。Shehadthrownherapronoverherheadandwasrockingherselftoandfroinhergrief。
ButIremarkedasmallboatfastenedtotheendofthepier。
\"Thosetwomen——theylookedlikesous-officiers——
musthavecomeinit，afterbeingtoolate，Isuppose，forthegalley。Itisincrediblethattheyshouldhavethusbrokentheregulationsfromasenseofduty。Anditwasastupidthingtodo。IcouldnotbelievemyeyesintheverymomentIwassteppingintothatboat。
\"Ipulledalongtheshoreslowly。AblackcloudhungovertheIlesdeSalut。Iheardfiring，shouts。
Anotherhunthadbegun——theconvict-hunt。Theoarsweretoolongtopullcomfortably。Imanagedthemwithdifficulty，thoughtheboatherselfwaslight。
ButwhenIgotroundtotheothersideoftheislandthesquallbrokeinrainandwind。Iwasunabletomakeheadagainstit。Ilettheboatdriftashoreandsecuredher。
\"Iknewthespot。Therewasatumbledownoldhovelstandingnearthewater。CoweringinthereI
heardthroughthenoisesofthewindandthefallingdownpoursomepeopletearingthroughthebushes。
Theycameoutonthestrand。Soldiersperhaps。A
flashoflightningthreweverythingnearmeintoviolentrelief。Twoconvicts!
\"Anddirectlyanamazedvoiceexclaimed。\'It\'samiracle!\'ItwasthevoiceofSimon，otherwiseBiscuit。
\"Andanothervoicegrowled，\'What\'samiracle?\'
\"\'Why，there\'saboatlyinghere!\'
\"\'Youmustbemad，Simon!Butthereis，afterall……Aboat。\'
\"Theyseemedawedintocompletesilence。TheothermanwasMafile。Hespokeagain，cautiously。
\"\'Itisfastenedup。Theremustbesomebodyhere。\'
\"Ispoketothemfromwithinthehovel:\'Iamhere。\'
\"Theycameinthen，andsoongavemetounderstandthattheboatwastheirs，notmine。\'Therearetwoofus，\'saidMafile，\'againstyoualone。\'
\"Igotoutintotheopentokeepclearofthemforfearofgettingatreacherousblowonthehead。Icouldhaveshotthembothwheretheystood。ButIsaidnothing。Ikeptdownthelaughterrisinginmythroat。
Imademyselfveryhumbleandbeggedtobeallowedtogo。Theyconsultedinlowtonesaboutmyfate，whilewithmyhandontherevolverinthebosomofmyblouseIhadtheirlivesinmypower。Iletthemlive。I
meantthemtopullthatboat。IrepresentedtothemwithabjecthumilitythatIunderstoodthemanagementofaboat，andthat，beingthreetopull，wecouldgetarestinturns。Thatdecidedthematlast。Itwastime。
AlittlemoreandIwouldhavegoneintoscreamingfitsatthedrollnessofit。\"
Atthispointhisexcitementbrokeout。Hejumpedoffthebenchandgesticulated。Thegreatshadowsofhisarmsdartingoverroofandwallsmadetheshedappeartoosmalltocontainhisagitation。
\"Idenynothing，\"heburstout。\"Iwaselated，monsieur。Itastedasortoffelicity。ButIkeptveryquiet。Itookmyturnsatpullingallthroughthenight。Wemadefortheopensea，puttingourtrustinapassingship。Itwasafoolhardyaction。Ipersuadedthemtoit。Whenthesunrosetheimmensityofwaterwascalm，andtheIlesdeSalutappearedonlylikedarkspecksfromthetopofeachswell。Iwassteeringthen。
Mafile，whowaspullingbow，letoutanoathandsaid，\'Wemustrest。\'
\'Thetimetolaughhadcomeatlast。AndItookmyfillofit，Icantellyou。Iheldmysidesandrolledinmyseat，theyhadsuchstartledfaces。\'What\'sgotintohim，theanimal?\'criesMafile。
\"AndSimon，whowasnearesttome，saysoverhisshouldertohim，\'DeviltakemeifIdon\'tthinkhe\'sgonemad!\'
\"ThenIproducedtherevolver。Aha!Inamo-
menttheybothgotthestoniesteyesyoucanimagine。
Ha，ha!Theywerefrightened。Buttheypulled。
Oh，yes，theypulledallday，sometimeslookingwildandsometimeslookingfaint。IlostnothingofitbecauseI
hadtokeepmyeyesonthemallthetime，orelse——
crack!——theywouldhavebeenontopofmeinasecond。
Irestedmyrevolverhandonmykneeallreadyandsteeredwiththeother。Theirfacesbegantoblister。
Skyandseaseemedonfireroundusandtheseasteamedinthesun。Theboatmadeasizzlingsoundasshewentthroughthewater。SometimesMafilefoamedatthemouthandsometimeshegroaned。Buthepulled。Hedarednotstop。Hiseyesbecameblood-shotallover，andhehadbittenhislowerliptopieces。Simonwasashoarseasacrow。
\"\'Comrade——\'hebegins。
\'\"Therearenocomradeshere。Iamyourpa-
tron。\'
\"\'Patron，then，\'hesays，\'inthenameofhumanityletusrest。\'
\"Iletthem。Therewasalittlerainwaterwashingaboutthebottomoftheboat。Ipermittedthemtosnatchsomeofitinthehollowoftheirpalms。ButasI
gavethecommand，\'Enroute!\'Icaughtthemexchang-
ingsignificantglances。TheythoughtIwouldhavetogotosleepsometime!Aha!ButIdidnotwanttogotosleep。Iwasmoreawakethanever。Itistheywhowenttosleepastheypulled，tumblingoffthethwartsheadoverheelssuddenly，oneafteranother。Iletthemlie。Allthestarswereout。Itwasaquietworld。Thesunrose。Anotherday。Allez!Enroute!
\"Theypulledbadly。Theireyesrolledaboutandtheirtongueshungout。InthemiddleoftheforenoonMafilecroaksout:\'Letusmakearushathim，Simon。
Iwouldjustassoonbeshotatonceastodieofthirst，hunger，andfatigueattheoar。\'
\"Butwhilehespokehepulled；andSimonkeptonpullingtoo。Itmademesmile。Ah!Theylovedtheirlifethesetwo，inthisevilworldoftheirs，justasIusedtolovemylife，too，beforetheyspoileditformewiththeirphrases。Iletthemgoontothepointofexhaustion，andonlythenIpointedatthesailsofashiponthehorizon。
\"Aha!Youshouldhaveseenthemreviveandbuckletotheirwork!ForIkeptthematittopullrightacrossthatship\'spath。Theywerechanged。
ThesortofpityIhadfeltforthemleftme。Theylookedmorelikethemselveseveryminute。TheylookedatmewiththeglancesIrememberedsowell。
Theywerehappy。Theysmiled。
\"\'Well，\'saysSimon，\'theenergyofthatyoungsterhassavedourlives。Ifhehadn\'tmadeus，wecouldneverhavepulledsofaroutintothetrackofships。
Comrade，Iforgiveyou。Iadmireyou。\'
\"AndMafilegrowlsfromforward:\'Weoweyouafamousdebtofgratitude，comrade。Youarecutoutforachief。\'
\"Comrade!Monsieur!Ah，whatagoodword!
Andthey，suchmenasthesetwo，hadmadeitaccursed。
Ilookedatthem。Irememberedtheirlies，theirpromises，theirmenaces，andallmydaysofmisery。
WhycouldtheynothaveleftmealoneafterIcameoutofprison?IlookedatthemandthoughtthatwhiletheylivedIcouldneverbefree。Never。NeitherInorotherslikemewithwarmheartsandweakheads。ForIknowIhavenotastronghead，monsieur。Ablackragecameuponme——therageofextremeintoxication——
butnotagainsttheinjusticeofsociety。Oh，no!
\"\'Imustbefree!\'Icried，furiously。
\"\'Vivelaliberte!\"yellsthatruffianMafile。\'MortauxbourgeoiswhosendustoCayenne!Theyshallsoonknowthatwearefree。\'
\"Thesky，thesea，thewholehorizon，seemedtoturnred，bloodredallroundtheboat。MytempleswerebeatingsoloudthatIwonderedtheydidnothear。
Howisitthattheydidnot?Howisittheydidnotunderstand?
\"IheardSimonask，\'Havewenotpulledfarenoughoutnow?\'
\"\'Yes。Farenough，\'Isaid。Iwassorryforhim；
itwastheotherIhated。Hehauledinhisoarwithaloudsigh，andashewasraisinghishandtowipehisforeheadwiththeairofamanwhohasdonehiswork，I
pulledthetriggerofmyrevolverandshothimlikethisofftheknee，rightthroughtheheart。
\"Hetumbleddown，withhisheadhangingoverthesideoftheboat。Ididnotgivehimasecondglance。
Theothercriedoutpiercingly。Onlyoneshriekofhorror。Thenallwasstill。
\"Heslippedoffthethwartontohiskneesandraisedhisclaspedhandsbeforehisfaceinanattitudeofsuppli-
cation。\'Mercy，\'hewhispered，faintly。\'Mercyforme!——comrade。\'
\"\'Ah，comrade，\'Isaid，inalowtone。\'Yes，comrade，ofcourse。Well，then，shoutVivel\'anarchie。\'
\"Heflunguphisarms，hisfaceuptotheskyandhismouthwideopeninagreatyellofdespair。\'Vivel\'anarchie!Vive——\'
\"Hecollapsedallinaheap，withabulletthroughhishead。
\"Iflungthembothoverboard。Ithrewawaytherevolver，too。ThenIsatdownquietly。Iwasfreeatlast!Atlast。Ididnotevenlooktowardstheship；
Ididnotcare；indeed，IthinkImusthavegonetosleep，becauseallofasuddentherewereshoutsandI
foundtheshipalmostontopofme。Theyhauledmeonboardandsecuredtheboatastern。Theywereallblacks，exceptthecaptain，whowasamulatto。HealoneknewafewwordsofFrench。Icouldnotfindoutwheretheyweregoingnorwhotheywere。Theygavemesomethingtoeateveryday；butIdidnotlikethewaytheyusedtodiscussmeintheirlanguage。
Perhapstheyweredeliberatingaboutthrowingmeover-
boardinordertokeeppossessionoftheboat。HowdoIknow?AswewerepassingthisislandIaskedwhetheritwasinhabited。Iunderstoodfromthemulattothattherewasahouseonit。Afarm，I
fancied，theymeant。SoIaskedthemtoputmeashoreonthebeachandkeeptheboatfortheirtrouble。This，Iimagine，wasjustwhattheywanted。Therestyouknow。\"
Afterpronouncingthesewordshelostsuddenlyallcontroloverhimself。Hepacedtoandfrorapidly，tillatlasthebrokeintoarun；hisarmswentlikeawindmillandhisejaculationsbecameverymuchlikeraving。
Theburdenofthemwasthathe\"deniednothing，nothing!\"Icouldonlylethimgoon，andsatoutofhisway，repeating，\"Calmezvous，calmezvous，\"atintervals，tillhisagitationexhausteditself。
Imustconfess，too，thatIremainedtherelongafterhehadcrawledunderhismosquito-net。Hehaden-
treatedmenottoleavehim；so，asonesitsupwithanervouschild，Isatupwithhim——inthenameofhumanity——tillhefellasleep。
Onthewhole，myideaisthathewasmuchmoreofananarchistthanheconfessedtomeortohimself；andthat，thespecialfeaturesofhiscaseapart，hewasverymuchlikemanyotheranarchists。Warmheartandweakhead——thatisthewordoftheriddle；anditisafactthatthebitterestcontradictionsandthedeadliestconflictsoftheworldarecarriedonineveryindividualbreastcapableoffeelingandpassion。
FrompersonalinquiryIcanvouchthatthestoryoftheconvictmutinywasineveryparticularasstatedbyhim。
WhenIgotbacktoHortafromCayenneandsawthe\"Anarchist\"again，hedidnotlookwell。Hewasmoreworn，stillmorefrail，andverylividindeedunderthegrimysmudgesofhiscalling。Evidentlythemeatofthecompany\'smainherdinitsunconcentratedformdidnotagreewithhimatall。
ItwasonthepontooninHortathatwemet；andI
triedtoinducehimtoleavethelaunchmooredwhereshewasandfollowmetoEuropethereandthen。Itwouldhavebeendelightfultothinkoftheexcellentmanager\'ssurpriseanddisgustatthepoorfellow\'sescape。Butherefusedwithunconquerableobstinacy。
\"Surelyyoudon\'tmeantolivealwayshere!\"I
cried。Heshookhishead。
\"Ishalldiehere，\"hesaid。Thenaddedmoodily，\"Awayfromthem。\"
SometimesIthinkofhimlyingopen-eyedonhishorseman\'sgearinthelowshedfulloftoolsandscrapsofiron——theanarchistslaveoftheMaranonestate，waitingwithresignationforthatsleepwhich\"fled\"
fromhim，asheusedtosay，insuchanunaccountablemanner。
AMILITARYTALE
THEDUEL
I
NAPOLEONI。，whosecareerhadthequalityofaduelagainstthewholeofEurope，dislikedduellingbetweentheofficersofhisarmy。Thegreatmilitaryemperorwasnotaswashbuckler，andhadlittlerespectfortradition。
Nevertheless，astoryofduelling，whichbecamealegendinthearmy，runsthroughtheepicofimperialwars。Tothesurpriseandadmirationoftheirfellows，twoofficers，likeinsaneartiststryingtogildrefinedgoldorpaintthelily，pursuedaprivatecontestthroughtheyearsofuniversalcarnage。Theywereofficersofcavalry，andtheirconnectionwiththehigh-spiritedbutfancifulanimalwhichcarriesmenintobattleseemsparticularlyappropriate。Itwouldbedifficulttoimagineforheroesofthislegendtwoofficersofinfantryoftheline，forexample，whosefantasyistamedbymuchwalkingexercise，andwhosevalournecessarilymustbeofamoreploddingkind。Astogunnersorengineers，whoseheadsarekeptcoolonadietofmathematics，itissimplyunthinkable。
ThenamesofthetwoofficerswereFeraudandD\'Hubert，andtheywerebothlieutenantsinaregimentofhussars，butnotinthesameregiment。
Feraudwasdoingregimentalwork，butLieut。
D\'Huberthadthegoodfortunetobeattachedtothepersonofthegeneralcommandingthedivision，asofficierd\'ordonnance。ItwasinStrasbourg，andinthisagreeableandimportantgarrisontheywereenjoyinggreatlyashortintervalofpeace。Theywereenjoyingit，thoughbothintenselywarlike，becauseitwasasword-sharpening，firelock-cleaningpeace，deartoamilitaryheartandundamagingtomilitaryprestige，inasmuchthatnoonebelievedinitssincerityorduration。
Underthosehistoricalcircumstances，sofavourabletotheproperappreciationofmilitaryleisure，Lieut。
D\'Hubert，onefineafternoon，madehiswayalongaquietstreetofacheerfulsuburbtowardsLieut。Feraud\'squarters，whichwereinaprivatehousewithagardenattheback，belongingtoanoldmaidenlady。
HisknockatthedoorwasansweredinstantlybyayoungmaidinAlsatiancostume。Herfreshcomplexionandherlongeyelashes，lowereddemurelyatthesightofthetallofficer，causedLieut。D\'Hubert，whowasaccessibletoestheticimpressions，torelaxthecold，severegravityofhisface。Atthesametimeheob-
servedthatthegirlhadoverherarmapairofhussar\'sbreeches，bluewitharedstripe。
\"Lieut。Feraudin?\"heinquired，benevolently。
\"Oh，no，sir!Hewentoutatsixthismorning。\"
Theprettymaidtriedtoclosethedoor。Lieut。
D\'Hubert，opposingthismovewithgentlefirmness，steppedintotheante-room，jinglinghisspurs。
\"Come，mydear!Youdon\'tmeantosayhehasnotbeenhomesincesixo\'clockthismorning?\"
Sayingthesewords，Lieut。D\'Hubertopenedwith-
outceremonythedoorofaroomsocomfortablyandneatlyorderedthatonlyfrominternalevidenceintheshapeofboots，uniforms，andmilitaryaccoutrementsdidheacquiretheconvictionthatitwasLieut。Feraud\'sroom。AndhesawalsothatLieut。Feraudwasnotathome。Thetruthfulmaidhadfollowedhim，andraisedhercandideyestohisface。
\"H\'m!\"saidLieut。D\'Hubert，greatlydisappointed，forhehadalreadyvisitedallthehauntswherealieu-
tenantofhussarscouldbefoundofafineafternoon。
\"Sohe\'sout?Anddoyouhappentoknow，mydear，whyhewentoutatsixthismorning?\"
\"No，\"sheanswered，readily。\"Hecamehomelatelastnight，andsnored。IheardhimwhenIgotupatfive。Thenhedressedhimselfinhisoldestuniformandwentout。Service，Isuppose。\"
\"Service?Notabitofit!\"criedLieut。D\'Hubert。
\"Learn，myangel，thathewentoutthusearlytofightaduelwithacivilian。\"
Sheheardthisnewswithoutaquiverofherdarkeyelashes。ItwasveryobviousthattheactionsofLieut。Feraudweregenerallyabovecriticism。Sheonlylookedupforamomentinmutesurprise，andLieut。
D\'HubertconcludedfromthisabsenceofemotionthatshemusthaveseenLieut。Feraudsincethemorning。
Helookedaroundtheroom。
\"Come!\"heinsisted，withconfidentialfamiliarity。
\"He\'sperhapssomewhereinthehousenow?\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Somuchtheworseforhim!\"continuedLieut。
D\'Hubert，inatoneofanxiousconviction。\"Buthehasbeenhomethismorning。\"
Thistimetheprettymaidnoddedslightly。
\"Hehas!\"criedLieut。D\'Hubert。\"Andwentoutagain?Whatfor?Couldn\'thekeepquietlyindoors!
Whatalunatic!Mydeargirl——\"
Lieut。D\'Hubert\'snaturalkindnessofdispositionandstrongsenseofcomradeshiphelpedhispowersofobservation。Hechangedhistonetoamostinsinuatingsoftness，and，gazingatthehussar\'sbreecheshangingoverthearmofthegirl，heappealedtotheinterestshetookinLieut。Feraud\'scomfortandhappiness。Hewaspressingandpersuasive。Heusedhiseyes，whichwerekindandfine，withexcellenteffect。HisanxietytogetholdatonceofLieut。Feraud，forLieut。Feraud\'sowngood，seemedsogenuinethatatlastitovercamethegirl\'sunwillingnesstospeak。Unluckilyshehadnotmuchtotell。Lieut。Feraudhadreturnedhomeshortlybeforeten，hadwalkedstraightintohisroom，andhadthrownhimselfonhisbedtoresumehisslumbers。Shehadheardhimsnoreratherlouderthanbeforefarintotheafternoon。Thenhegotup，putonhisbestuniform，andwentout。Thatwasallsheknew。
Sheraisedhereyes，andLieut。D\'Hubertstaredintothemincredulously。
\"It\'sincredible。Goneparadingthetowninhisbestuniform!Mydearchild，don\'tyouknowheranthatcivilianthroughthismorning?Cleanthrough，asyouspitahare。\"
Theprettymaidheardthegruesomeintelligencewithoutanysignsofdistress。Butshepressedherlipstogetherthoughtfully。
\"Heisn\'tparadingthetown，\"sheremarkedinalowtone。\"Farfromit。\"
\"Thecivilian\'sfamilyismakinganawfulrow，\"
continuedLieut。D\'Hubert，pursuinghistrainofthought。\"Andthegeneralisveryangry。It\'soneofthebestfamiliesinthetown。Feraudoughttohavekeptcloseatleast——\"
\"Whatwillthegeneraldotohim?\"inquiredthegirl，anxiously。
\"Hewon\'thavehisheadcutoff，tobesure，\"grum-
bledLieut。D\'Hubert。\"Hisconductispositivelyin-
decent。He\'smakingnoendoftroubleforhimselfbythissortofbravado。\"
\"Butheisn\'tparadingthetown，\"themaidinsistedinashymurmur。
\"Why，yes!NowIthinkofit，Ihaven\'tseenhimanywhereabout。Whatonearthhashedonewithhimself?\"
\"He\'sgonetopayacall，\"suggestedthemaid，afteramomentofsilence。
Lieut。D\'Hubertstarted。
\"Acall!Doyoumeanacallonalady?Thecheekoftheman!Andhowdoyouknowthis，mydear?\"
Withoutconcealingherwoman\'sscornforthedense-
nessofthemasculinemind，theprettymaidremindedhimthatLieut。Feraudhadarrayedhimselfinhisbestuniformbeforegoingout。Hehadalsoputonhisnewestdolman，sheadded，inatoneasifthisconver-
sationweregettingonhernerves，andturnedawaybrusquely。
Lieut。D\'Hubert，withoutquestioningtheaccuracyofthededuction，didnotseethatitadvancedhimmuchonhisofficialquest。ForhisquestafterLieut。Feraudhadanofficialcharacter。Hedidnotknowanyofthewomenthisfellow，whohadrunamanthroughinthemorning，waslikelytovisitintheafternoon。Thetwoyoungmenkneweachotherbutslightly。Hebithisglovedfingerinperplexity。
\"Call!\"heexclaimed。\"Callonthedevil!\"
Thegirl，withherbacktohim，andfoldingthehussarsbreechesonachair，protestedwithavexedlittlelaugh:
\"Oh，dear，no!OnMadamedeLionne。\"
Lieut。D\'Hubertwhistledsoftly。MadamedeLionnewasthewifeofahighofficialwhohadawell-knownsalonandsomepretensionstosensibilityandelegance。
Thehusbandwasacivilian，andold；butthesocietyofthesalonwasyoungandmilitary。Lieut。D\'Huberthadwhistled，notbecausetheideaofpursuingLieut。
Feraudintothatverysalonwasdisagreeabletohim，butbecause，havingarrivedinStrasbourgonlylately，hehadnothadthetimeasyettogetanintroductiontoMadamedeLionne。AndwhatwasthatswashbucklerFerauddoingthere，hewondered。Hedidnotseemthesortofmanwho——
\"Areyoucertainofwhatyousay?\"askedLieut。
D\'Hubert。
Thegirlwasperfectlycertain。Withoutturningroundtolookathim，sheexplainedthatthecoachmanoftheirnextdoorneighboursknewthemaitre-d\'hotelofMadamedeLionne。Inthiswayshehadherin-
formation。Andshewasperfectlycertain。Ingivingthisassuranceshesighed。Lieut。Feraudcalledtherenearlyeveryafternoon，sheadded。
\"Ah，bah!\"exclaimedD\'Hubert，ironically。HisopinionofMadamedeLionnewentdownseveralde-
grees。Lieut。Ferauddidnotseemtohimspeciallyworthyofattentiononthepartofawomanwitharepu-
tationforsensibilityandelegance。Buttherewasnosaying。Atbottomtheywereallalike——verypracti-
calratherthanidealistic。Lieut。D\'Hubert，however，didnotallowhismindtodwellontheseconsiderations。
\"Bythunder!\"hereflectedaloud。\"Thegeneralgoestheresometimes。Ifhehappenstofindthefellowmakingeyesattheladytherewillbethedeviltopay!
Ourgeneralisnotaveryaccommodatingperson，Icantellyou。\"
\"Goquickly，then!Don\'tstandherenowI\'vetoldyouwhereheis!\"criedthegirl，colouringtotheeyes。
\"Thanks，mydear!Idon\'tknowwhatIwouldhavedonewithoutyou。\"
Aftermanifestinghisgratitudeinanaggressiveway，whichatfirstwasrepulsedviolently，andthensub-
mittedtowithasuddenandstillmorerepellentin-
difference，Lieut。D\'Huberttookhisdeparture。
Heclankedandjingledalongthestreetswithamartialswagger。Torunacomradetoearthinadrawing-roomwherehewasnotknowndidnottroublehimintheleast。Auniformisapassport。Hispositionasofficierd\'ordonnanceofthegeneraladdedtohisassurance。Moreover，nowthatheknewwheretofindLieut。Feraud，hehadnooption。Itwasaser-
vicematter。
MadamedeLionne\'shousehadanexcellentappear-
ance。Amaninlivery，openingthedoorofalargedrawing-roomwithawaxedfloor，shoutedhisnameandstoodasidetolethimpass。Itwasareceptionday。
Theladiesworebighatssurchargedwithaprofusionoffeathers；theirbodiessheathedinclingingwhitegowns，fromthearmpitstothetipsofthelowsatinshoes，lookedsylph-likeandcoolinagreatdisplayofbarenecksandarms。Themenwhotalkedwiththem，onthecontrary，werearrayedheavilyinmulti-colouredgarmentswithcollarsuptotheirearsandthicksashesroundtheirwaists。Lieut。D\'Hubertmadehisun-
abashedwayacrosstheroomand，bowinglowbeforeasylph-likeformrecliningonacouch，offeredhisapologiesforthisintrusion，whichnothingcouldexcusebuttheextremeurgencyoftheserviceorderhehadtocommunicatetohiscomradeFeraud。Heproposedtohimselftoreturnpresentlyinamoreregularmannerandbegforgivenessforinterruptingtheinterestingconversation……
Abarearmwasextendedtowardshimwithgraciousnonchalanceevenbeforehehadfinishedspeaking。Hepressedthehandrespectfullytohislips，andmadethementalremarkthatitwasbony。MadamedeLionnewasablonde，withtoofineaskinandalongface。
\"C\'estca!\"shesaid，withanetherealsmile，disclosingasetoflargeteeth。\"Comethiseveningtopleadforyourforgiveness。\"
\"Iwillnotfail，madame。\"
Meantime，Lieut。Feraud，splendidinhisnewdolmanandtheextremelypolishedbootsofhiscalling，satonachairwithinafootofthecouch，onehandrestingonhisthigh，theothertwirlinghismoustachetoapoint。AtasignificantglancefromD\'Hubertherosewithoutalacrity，andfollowedhimintotherecessofawindow。
\"Whatisityouwantwithme?\"heasked，withastonishingindifference。Lieut。D\'HubertcouldnotimaginethatintheinnocenceofhisheartandsimplicityofhisconscienceLieut。Feraudtookaviewofhisduelinwhichneitherremorsenoryetarationalapprehensionofconsequenceshadanyplace。Thoughhehadnoclearrecollectionhowthequarrelhadoriginateditwasbeguninanestablishmentwherebeerandwinearedrunklateatnight，hehadnottheslightestdoubtofbeinghimselftheoutragedparty。Hehadhadtwoexperiencedfriendsforhisseconds。Everythinghadbeendoneaccordingtotherulesgoverningthatsortofadventures。Andaduelisobviouslyfoughtforthepurposeofsomeonebeingatleasthurt，ifnotkilledoutright。Theciviliangothurt。Thatalsowasinorder。Lieut。Feraudwasperfectlytranquil；butLieut。D\'Huberttookitforaffectation，andspokewithacertainvivacity。
\"Iamdirectedbythegeneraltogiveyoutheordertogoatoncetoyourquarters，andremainthereunderclosearrest。\"
ItwasnowtheturnofLieut。Feraudtobeaston-
ished。\"Whatthedevilareyoutellingmethere?\"hemurmured，faintly，andfellintosuchprofoundwonderthathecouldonlyfollowmechanicallythemotionsofLieut。D\'Hubert。Thetwoofficers，onetall，withaninterestingfaceandamoustachethecolourofripecorn，theother，shortandsturdy，withahookednoseandathickcropofblackcurlyhair，approachedthemistressofthehousetotaketheirleave。MadamedeLionne，awomanofeclectictaste，smileduponthesearmedyoungmenwithimpartialsensibilityandanequalshareofinterest。MadamedeLionnetookherdelightintheinfinitevarietyofthehumanspecies。Alltheothereyesinthedrawing-roomfollowedthedepartingofficers；andwhentheyhadgoneoutoneortwomen，whohadalreadyheardoftheduel，impartedthein-
formationtothesylph-likeladies，whoreceiveditwithfaintshrieksofhumaneconcern。
Meantime，thetwohussarswalkedsidebyside，Lieut。
Feraudtryingtomasterthehiddenreasonofthingswhichinthisinstanceeludedthegraspofhisintellect，Lieut。D\'Hubertfeelingannoyedattheparthehadtoplay，becausethegeneral\'sinstructionswerethatheshouldseepersonallythatLieut。Feraudcarriedouthisorderstotheletter，andatonce。
\"Thechiefseemstoknowthisanimal，\"hethought，eyeinghiscompanion，whoseroundface，theroundeyes，andeventhetwisted-upjetblacklittlemoustacheseemedanimatedbyamentalexasperationagainsttheincomprehensible。Andaloudheobservedratherre-
proachfully，\"Thegeneralisinadevilishfurywithyou!\"
Lieut。Feraudstoppedshortontheedgeofthepave-
ment，andcriedinaccentsofunmistakablesincerity，\"Whatonearthfor?\"TheinnocenceofthefieryGasconsoulwasdepictedinthemannerinwhichheseizedhisheadinbothhandsasiftopreventitburstingwithperplexity。
\"Fortheduel，\"saidLieut。D\'Hubert，curtly。Hewasannoyedgreatlybythissortofperversefooling。
\"Theduel!The……\"
Lieut。Feraudpassedfromoneparoxysmofastonish-
mentintoanother。Hedroppedhishandsandwalkedonslowly，tryingtoreconcilethisinformationwiththestateofhisownfeelings。Itwasimpossible。Heburstoutindignantly，\"WasItoletthatsauerkraut-eatingcivilianwipehisbootsontheuniformofthe7thHus-
sars?\"
Lieut。D\'Hubertcouldnotremainaltogetherun-
movedbythatsimplesentiment。Thislittlefellowwasalunatic，hethoughttohimself，buttherewassome-
thinginwhathesaid。
\"Ofcourse，Idon\'tknowhowfaryouwerejustified，\"
hebegan，soothingly。\"Andthegeneralhimselfmaynotbeexactlyinformed。Thosepeoplehavebeendeafeninghimwiththeirlamentations。\"
\"Ah!thegeneralisnotexactlyinformed，\"mumbledLieut。Feraud，walkingfasterandfasterashischolerattheinjusticeofhisfatebegantorise。\"Heisnotexactly……Andheordersmeunderclosearrest，withGodknowswhatafterwards!\"
\"Don\'texciteyourselflikethis，\"remonstratedtheother。\"Youradversary\'speopleareveryinfluential，youknow，anditlooksbadenoughonthefaceofit。
Thegeneralhadtotakenoticeoftheircomplaintatonce。Idon\'tthinkhemeanstobeover-severewithyou。It\'sthebestthingforyoutobekeptoutofsightforawhile。\"
\"Iamverymuchobligedtothegeneral，\"mutteredLieut。Feraudthroughhisteeth。\"AndperhapsyouwouldsayIoughttobegratefultoyou，too，forthetroubleyouhavetakentohuntmeupinthedrawing-
roomofaladywho——\"
\"Frankly，\"interruptedLieut。D\'Hubert，withaninnocentlaugh，\"Ithinkyououghttobe。Ihadnoendoftroubletofindoutwhereyouwere。Itwasn\'texactlytheplaceforyoutodisportyourselfinunderthecircumstances。Ifthegeneralhadcaughtyoutheremakingeyesatthegoddessofthetemple……
oh，myword!……Hehatestobebotheredwithcomplaintsagainsthisofficers，youknow。Anditlookeduncommonlylikesheerbravado。\"
ThetwoofficershadarrivednowatthestreetdoorofLieut。Feraud\'slodgings。Thelatterturnedtowardshiscompanion。\"Lieut。D\'Hubert，\"hesaid，\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，whichcan\'tbesaidverywellinthestreet。Youcan\'trefusetocomeup。\"
Theprettymaidhadopenedthedoor。Lieut。
Feraudbrushedpastherbrusquely，andsheraisedherscaredandquestioningeyestoLieut。D\'Hubert，whocoulddonothingbutshrughisshouldersslightlyashefollowedwithmarkedreluctance。
InhisroomLieut。Feraudunhookedtheclasp，flunghisnewdolmanonthebed，and，foldinghisarmsacrosshischest，turnedtotheotherhussar。
\"DoyouimagineIamamantosubmittamelytoinjustice?\"heinquired，inaboisterousvoice。
\"Oh，dobereasonable!\"remonstratedLieut。D\'Hu-
bert。
\"Iamreasonable!Iamperfectlyreasonable!\"
retortedtheotherwithominousrestraint。\"Ican\'tcallthegeneraltoaccountforhisbehaviour，butyouaregoingtoanswermeforyours。\"
\"Ican\'tlistentothisnonsense，\"murmuredLieut。
D\'Hubert，makingaslightlycontemptuousgrimace。
\"Youcallthisnonsense?Itseemstomeaper-
fectlyplainstatement。Unlessyoudon\'tunderstandFrench。\"
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean?\"
\"Imean，\"screamedsuddenlyLieut。Feraud，\"tocutoffyourearstoteachyoutodisturbmewiththegeneral\'sorderswhenIamtalkingtoalady!\"
Aprofoundsilencefollowedthismaddeclaration；
andthroughtheopenwindowLieut。D\'Hubertheardthelittlebirdssingingsanelyinthegarden。Hesaid，preservinghiscalm，\"Why!Ifyoutakethattone，ofcourseIshallholdmyselfatyourdispositionwheneveryouareatlibertytoattendtothisaffair；butIdon\'tthinkyouwillcutmyearsoff。\"