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。"