"Iamgoingtoattendtoitatonce，"declaredLieut。
Feraud，withextremetruculence。"Ifyouarethinkingofdisplayingyourairsandgracesto-nightinMadamedeLionne'ssalonyouareverymuchmistaken。"
"Really!"saidLieut。D'Hubert，whowasbeginningtofeelirritated，"youareanimpracticablesortoffellow。Thegeneral'sorderstomeweretoputyouunderarrest，nottocarveyouintosmallpieces。Good-
morning!"AndturninghisbackonthelittleGascon，who，alwayssoberinhispotations，wasasthoughbornintoxicatedwiththesunshineofhisvine-ripeningcoun-
try，theNorthman，whocoulddrinkhardonoccasion，butwasbornsoberunderthewateryskiesofPicardy，madeforthedoor。Hearing，however，theunmistak-
ablesoundbehindhisbackofasworddrawnfromthescabbard，hehadnooptionbuttostop。
"DeviltakethismadSoutherner!"hethought，spin-
ningroundandsurveyingwithcomposurethewarlikepostureofLieut。Feraud，withabareswordinhishand。
"Atonce!——atonce!"stutteredFeraud，besidehimself。
"Youhadmyanswer，"saidtheother，keepinghistemperverywell。
Atfirsthehadbeenonlyvexed，andsomewhatamused；butnowhisfacegotclouded。Hewasaskinghimselfseriouslyhowhecouldmanagetogetaway。
Itwasimpossibletorunfromamanwithasword，andastofightinghim，itseemedcompletelyoutofthequestion。Hewaitedawhile，thensaidexactlywhatwasinhisheart。
"Dropthis!Iwon'tfightwithyou。Iwon'tbemaderidiculous。"
"Ah，youwon't?"hissedtheGascon。"Isupposeyouprefertobemadeinfamous。DoyouhearwhatI
say?……Infamous!Infamous!Infamous!"heshrieked，risingandfallingonhistoesandgettingveryredintheface。
Lieut。D'Hubert，onthecontrary，becameverypaleatthesoundoftheunsavourywordforamoment，thenflushedpinktotherootsofhisfairhair。"Butyoucan'tgoouttofight；youareunderarrest，youlunatic!"
heobjected，withangryscorn。
"There'sthegarden:it'sbigenoughtolayoutyourlongcarcassin，"splutteredtheotherwithsuchardourthatsomehowtheangerofthecoolermansubsided。
"Thisisperfectlyabsurd，"hesaid，gladenoughtothinkhehadfoundawayoutofitforthemoment。
"Weshallnevergetanyofourcomradestoserveasseconds。It'spreposterous。"
"Seconds!Damntheseconds!Wedon'twantanyseconds。Don'tyouworryaboutanyseconds。I
shallsendwordtoyourfriendstocomeandburyyouwhenIamdone。Andifyouwantanywitnesses，I'llsendwordtotheoldgirltoputherheadoutofawindowattheback。Stay!There'sthegardener。
He'lldo。He'sasdeafasapost，buthehastwoeyesinhishead。Comealong!Iwillteachyou，mystaffofficer，thatthecarryingaboutofageneral'sordersisnotalwayschild'splay。"
Whilethusdiscoursinghehadunbuckledhisemptyscabbard。Hesentitflyingunderthebed，and，lower-
ingthepointofthesword，brushedpasttheperplexedLieut。D'Hubert，exclaiming，"Followme!"Directlyhehadflungopenthedoorafaintshriekwasheardandtheprettymaid，whohadbeenlisteningatthekeyhole，staggeredaway，puttingthebacksofherhandsoverhereyes。Ferauddidnotseemtoseeher，butsheranafterhimandseizedhisleftarm。Heshookheroff，andthensherushedtowardsLieut。D'Hubertandclawedatthesleeveofhisuniform。
"Wretchedman!"shesobbed。"Isthiswhatyouwantedtofindhimfor?"
"Letmego，"entreatedLieut。D'Hubert，tryingtodisengagehimselfgently。"It'slikebeinginamad-
house，"heprotested，withexasperation。"Doletmego!Iwon'tdohimanyharm。"
AfiendishlaughfromLieut。Feraudcommentedthatassurance。"Comealong!"heshouted，withastampofhisfoot。
AndLieut。D'Hubertdidfollow。Hecoulddonoth-
ingelse。Yetinvindicationofhissanityitmustberecordedthatashepassedthroughtheante-roomthenotionofopeningthestreetdoorandboltingoutpre-
senteditselftothisbraveyouth，onlyofcoursetobeinstantlydismissed，forhefeltsurethattheotherwouldpursuehimwithoutshameorcompunction。Andtheprospectofanofficerofhussarsbeingchasedalongthestreetbyanotherofficerofhussarswithanakedswordcouldnotbeforamomententertained。Thereforehefollowedintothegarden。Behindthemthegirltotteredout，too。Withashylipsandwild，scaredeyes，shesurrenderedherselftoadreadfulcuriosity。
ShehadalsothenotionofrushingifneedbebetweenLieut。Feraudanddeath。
Thedeafgardener，utterlyunconsciousofapproach-
ingfootsteps，wentonwateringhisflowerstillLieut。
Feraudthumpedhimontheback。Beholdingsuddenlyanenragedmanflourishingabigsabre，theoldchaptremblinginallhislimbsdroppedthewatering-pot。AtonceLieut。Feraudkickeditawaywithgreatanimosity，and，seizingthegardenerbythethroat，backedhimagainstatree。Heheldhimthere，shoutinginhisear，"Stayhere，andlookon!Youunderstand?You'vegottolookon!Don'tdarebudgefromthespot!"
Lieut。D'Hubertcameslowlydownthewalk，un-
claspinghisdolmanwithunconcealeddisgust。Eventhen，withhishandalreadyonthehiltofhissword，hehesitatedtodrawtillaroar，"Engarde，fichtre!Whatdoyouthinkyoucameherefor?"andtherushofhisadversaryforcedhimtoputhimselfasquicklyaspos-
sibleinapostureofdefence。
Theclashofarmsfilledthatprimgarden，whichhithertohadknownnomorewarlikesoundthantheclickofclippingshears；andpresentlytheupperpartofanoldlady'sbodywasprojectedoutofawindowup-
stairs。Shetossedherarmsaboveherwhitecap，scoldinginacrackedvoice。Thegardenerremainedgluedtothetree，histoothlessmouthopeninidioticastonishment，andalittlefartherupthepaththeprettygirl，asifspellboundtoasmallgrassplot，ranafewstepsthiswayandthat，wringingherhandsandmutter-
ingcrazily。Shedidnotrushbetweenthecombatants:
theonslaughtsofLieut。Feraudweresofiercethatherheartfailedher。Lieut。D'Hubert，hisfacultiesconcen-
tratedupondefence，neededallhisskillandscienceoftheswordtostoptherushesofhisadversary。Twicealreadyhehadtobreakground。Itbotheredhimtofeelhisfootholdmadeinsecurebytheround，drygravelofthepathrollingunderthehardsolesofhisboots。
Thiswasmostunsuitableground，hethought，keepingawatchful，narrowedgaze，shadedbylongeyelashes，uponthefierystareofhisthick-setadversary。Thisabsurdaffairwouldruinhisreputationofasensible，well-behaved，promisingyoungofficer。Itwoulddamage，atanyrate，hisimmediateprospects，andlosehimthegood-willofhisgeneral。Theseworldlypre-
occupationswerenodoubtmisplacedinviewofthesolemnityofthemoment。Aduel，whetherregardedasaceremonyinthecultofhonour，orevenwhenreducedinitsmoralessencetoaformofmanlysport，demandsaperfectsinglenessofintention，ahomicidalausterityofmood。Ontheotherhand，thisvividconcernforhisfuturehadnotabadeffectinasmuchasitbegantorousetheangerofLieut。D'Hubert。Someseventysecondshadelapsedsincetheyhadcrossedblades，andLieut。D'Huberthadtobreakgroundagaininordertoavoidimpalinghisrecklessadversarylikeabeetleforacabinetofspecimens。Theresultwasthatmisappre-
hendingthemotive，Lieut。Feraudwithatriumphantsortofsnarlpressedhisattack。
"Thisenragedanimalwillhavemeagainstthewalldirectly，"thoughtLieut。D'Hubert。Heimaginedhim-
selfmuchclosertothehousethanhewas，andhedarednotturnhishead；itseemedtohimthathewaskeepinghisadversaryoffwithhiseyesrathermorethanwithhispoint。Lieut。Feraudcrouchedandboundedwithafiercetigerishagilityfittotroublethestoutestheart。
Butwhatwasmoreappallingthanthefuryofawildbeast，accomplishinginallinnocenceofheartanaturalfunction，wasthefixityofsavagepurposemanaloneiscapableofdisplaying。Lieut。D'Hubertinthemidstofhisworldlypreoccupationsperceiveditatlast。Itwasanabsurdanddamagingaffairtobedrawninto，butwhateversillyintentionthefellowhadstartedwith，itwasclearenoughthatbythistimehemeanttokill——
nothingless。Hemeantitwithanintensityofwillutterlybeyondtheinferiorfacultiesofatiger。
Asisthecasewithconstitutionallybravemen，thefullviewofthedangerinterestedLieut。D'Hubert。
Anddirectlyhegotproperlyinterested，thelengthofhisarmandthecoolnessofhisheadtoldinhisfavour。ItwastheturnofLieut。Feraudtorecoil，withablood-
curdlinggruntofbaffledrage。Hemadeaswiftfeint，andthenrushedstraightforward。
"Ah!youwould，wouldyou?"Lieut。D'Hubertexclaimed，mentally。Thecombathadlastednearlytwominutes，timeenoughforanymantogetem-
bittered，apartfromthemeritsofthequarrel。Andallatonceitwasover。Tryingtoclosebreasttobreastunderhisadversary'sguardLieut。Feraudreceivedaslashonhisshortenedarm。Hedidnotfeelitintheleast，butitcheckedhisrush，andhisfeetslippingonthegravelhefellbackwardswithgreatviolence。Theshockjarredhisboilingbrainintotheperfectquietudeofinsensibility。Simultaneouslywithhisfalltheprettyservant-girlshrieked；buttheoldmaidenladyatthewindowceasedherscolding，andbegantocrossher-
selfpiously。
Beholdinghisadversarystretchedoutperfectlystill，hisfacetothesky，Lieut。D'Hubertthoughthehadkilledhimoutright。Theimpressionofhavingslashedhardenoughtocuthismancleanintwoabodewithhimforawhileinanexaggeratedmemoryoftherightgood-willhehadputintotheblow。Hedroppedonhiskneeshastilybythesideoftheprostratebody。
Discoveringthatnoteventhearmwassevered，aslightsenseofdisappointmentmingledwiththefeelingofrelief。Thefellowdeservedtheworst。Buttrulyhedidnotwantthedeathofthatsinner。Theaffairwasuglyenoughasitstood，andLieut。D'Hubertaddressedhimselfatoncetothetaskofstoppingthebleeding。Inthistaskitwashisfatetoberidiculouslyimpededbytheprettymaid。Rendingtheairwithscreamsofhorror，sheattackedhimfrombehindand，twiningherfingersinhishair，tuggedbackathishead。Whysheshouldchoosetohinderhimatthisprecisemomenthecouldnotintheleastunderstand。Hedidnottry。
Itwasalllikeaverywickedandharassingdream。
Twicetosavehimselffrombeingpulledoverhehadtoriseandflingheroff。Hedidthisstoically，withoutaword，kneelingdownagainatoncetogoonwithhiswork。Butthethirdtime，hisworkbeingdone，heseizedherandheldherarmspinnedtoherbody。Hercapwashalfoff，herfacewasred，hereyesblazedwithcrazyboldness。Helookedmildlyintothemwhileshecalledhimawretch，atraitor，andamurderermanytimesinsuccession。Thisdidnotannoyhimsomuchastheconvictionthatshehadmanagedtoscratchhisfaceabundantly。Ridiculewouldbeaddedtothescandalofthestory。Heimaginedtheadornedtalemakingitswaythroughthegarrisonofthetown，throughthewholearmyonthefrontier，witheverypossibledistortionofmotiveandsentimentandcircumstance，spreadingadoubtuponthesanityofhisconductandthedistinctionofhistasteeventotheveryearsofhishonourablefamily。ItwasallverywellforthatfellowFeraud，whohadnoconnections，nofamilytospeakof，andnoqualitybutcourage，which，anyhow，wasamatterofcourse，andpossessedbyeverysingletrooperinthewholemassofFrenchcavalry。Stillholdingdownthearmsofthegirlinastronggrip，Lieut。D'Hubertglancedoverhisshoulder。Lieut。Feraudhadopenedhiseyes。Hedidnotmove。Likeamanjustwakingfromadeepsleephestaredwithoutanyexpressionattheeveningsky。
Lieut。D'Hubert'surgentshoutstotheoldgardenerproducednoeffect——notsomuchastomakehimshuthistoothlessmouth。Thenherememberedthatthemanwasstonedeaf。Allthattimethegirlstruggled，notwithmaidenlycoyness，butlikeapretty，dumbfury，kickinghisshinsnowandthen。Hecontinuedtoholdherasifinavice，hisinstincttellinghimthatwerehetolethergoshewouldflyathiseyes。Buthewasgreatlyhumiliatedbyhisposition。Atlastshegaveup。
Shewasmoreexhaustedthanappeased，hefeared。
Nevertheless，heattemptedtogetoutofthiswickeddreambywayofnegotiation。
"Listentome，"hesaid，ascalmlyashecould。
"WillyoupromisetorunforasurgeonifIletyougo?"
Withrealafflictionheheardherdeclarethatshewoulddonothingofthekind。Onthecontrary，hersobbedoutintentionwastoremaininthegarden，andfighttoothandnailfortheprotectionofthevanquishedman。Thiswasshocking。
"Mydearchild!"hecriedindespair，"isitpossiblethatyouthinkmecapableofmurderingawoundedadversary?Isit……Bequiet，youlittlewildcat，you!"
Theystruggled。Athick，drowsyvoicesaidbehindhim，"Whatareyouafterwiththatgirl?"
Lieut。Feraudhadraisedhimselfonhisgoodarm。
Hewaslookingsleepilyathisotherarm，atthemessofbloodonhisuniform，atasmallredpoolontheground，athissabrelyingafootawayonthepath。Thenhelaidhimselfdowngentlyagaintothinkitallout，asfarasathunderingheadachewouldpermitofmentaloperations。
Lieut。D'Hubertreleasedthegirlwhocrouchedatoncebythesideoftheotherlieutenant。Theshadesofnightwerefallingonthelittletrimgardenwiththistouchinggroup，whenceproceededlowmurmursofsorrowandcompassion，withotherfeeblesoundsofadifferentcharacter，asifanimperfectlyawakeinvalidweretryingtoswear。Lieut。D'Hubertwentaway。
Hepassedthroughthesilenthouse，andcongratu-
latedhimselfupontheduskconcealinghisgoryhandsandscratchedfacefromthepassers-by。Butthisstorycouldbynomeansbeconcealed。Hedreadedthediscreditandridiculeaboveeverything，andwaspain-
fullyawareofsneakingthroughthebackstreetsinthemannerofamurderer。Presentlythesoundsofaflutecomingoutoftheopenwindowofalightedupstairsroominamodesthouseinterruptedhisdismalreflections。Itwasbeingplayedwithaperseveringvirtuosity，andthroughthefiorituresofthetuneonecouldheartheregularthumpingofthefootbeatingtimeonthefloor。
Lieut。D'Hubertshoutedaname，whichwasthatofanarmysurgeonwhomheknewfairlywell。Thesoundsofthefluteceased，andthemusicianappearedatthewindow，hisinstrumentstillinhishand，peeringintothestreet。
"Whocalls?You，D'Hubert?Whatbringsyouthisway?"
Hedidnotliketobedisturbedatthehourwhenhewasplayingtheflute。Hewasamanwhosehairhadturnedgreyalreadyinthethanklesstaskoftyingupwoundsonbattlefieldswhereothersreapedadvance-
mentandglory。
"IwantyoutogoatonceandseeFeraud。YouknowLieut。Feraud?Helivesdownthesecondstreet。
It'sbutastepfromhere。"
"What'sthematterwithhim?"
"Wounded。"
"Areyousure?"
"Sure!"criedD'Hubert。"Icomefromthere。"
"That'samusing，"saidtheelderlysurgeon。Amus-
ingwashisfavouriteword；buttheexpressionofhisfacewhenhepronounceditnevercorresponded。Hewasastolidman。"Comein，"headded。"I'llgetreadyinamoment。"
"Thanks!Iwill。Iwanttowashmyhandsinyourroom。"
Lieut。D'Hubertfoundthesurgeonoccupiedinun-
screwinghisflute，andpackingthepiecesmethodicallyinacase。Heturnedhishead。
"Waterthere——inthecorner。Yourhandsdowantwashing。"
"I'vestoppedthebleeding，"saidLieut。D'Hubert。
"Butyouhadbettermakehaste。It'srathermorethantenminutesago，youknow。"
Thesurgeondidnothurryhismovements。
"What'sthematter?Dressingcameoff?That'samusing。I'vebeenatworkinthehospitalalldaybutI'vebeentoldthismorningbysomebodythathehadcomeoffwithoutascratch。"
"Notthesameduelprobably，"growledmoodilyLieut。D'Hubert，wipinghishandsonacoarsetowel。
"Notthesame……What?Another。Itwouldtaketheverydeviltomakemegoouttwiceinoneday。"ThesurgeonlookednarrowlyatLieut。
D'Hubert。"Howdidyoucomebythatscratchedface?Bothsides，too——andsymmetrical。It'samus-
ing。"
"Very!"snarledLieut。D'Hubert。"Andyouwillfindhisslashedarmamusing，too。Itwillkeepbothofyouamusedforquitealongtime。"
ThedoctorwasmystifiedandimpressedbythebrusquebitternessofLieut。D'Hubert'stone。Theyleftthehousetogether，andinthestreethewasstillmoremystifiedbyhisconduct。
"Aren'tyoucomingwithme?"heasked。
"No，"saidLieut。D'Hubert。"Youcanfindthehousebyyourself。Thefrontdoorwillbestandingopenverylikely。"
"Allright。Where'shisroom?"
"Groundfloor。Butyouhadbettergorightthroughandlookinthegardenfirst。"
Thisastonishingpieceofinformationmadethesurgeongooffwithoutfurtherparley。Lieut。D'Hu-
bertregainedhisquartersnursingahotanduneasyindignation。Hedreadedthechaffofhiscomradesal-
mostasmuchastheangerofhissuperiors。Thetruthwasconfoundedlygrotesqueandembarrassing，evenputtingasidetheirregularityofthecombatitself，whichmadeitcomeabominablynearacriminaloffence。Likeallmenwithoutmuchimagination，afacultywhichhelpstheprocessofreflectivethought，Lieut。D'Hubertbecamefrightfullyharassedbytheobviousaspectsofhispredicament。HewascertainlygladthathehadnotkilledLieut。Feraudoutsideallrules，andwithouttheregularwitnessespropertosuchatransaction。Un-
commonlyglad。Atthesametimehefeltasthoughhewouldhavelikedtowringhisneckforhimwithoutceremony。
Hewasstillundertheswayofthesecontradictorysentimentswhenthesurgeonamateuroftheflutecametoseehim。Morethanthreedayshadelapsed。Lieut。
D'Hubertwasnolongerofficierd'ordonnancetothegeneralcommandingthedivision。Hehadbeensentbacktohisregiment。Andhewasresuminghiscon-
nectionwiththesoldiers'militaryfamilybybeingshutupincloseconfinement，notathisownquartersintown，butinaroominthebarracks。Owingtothegravityoftheincident，hewasforbiddentoseeanyone。Hedidnotknowwhathadhappened，whatwasbeingsaid，orwhatwasbeingthought。Thearrivalofthesurgeonwasamostunexpectedthingtotheworriedcaptive。Theamateuroftheflutebeganbyexplainingthathewasthereonlybyaspecialfavourofthecolonel。
"Irepresentedtohimthatitwouldbeonlyfairtoletyouhavesomeauthenticnewsofyouradversary，"hecontinued。"You'llbegladtohearhe'sgettingbetterfast。"
Lieut。D'Hubert'sfaceexhibitednoconventionalsignsofgladness。Hecontinuedtowalkthefloorofthedustybareroom。
"Takethischair，doctor，"hemumbled。
Thedoctorsatdown。
"Thisaffairisvariouslyappreciated——intownandinthearmy。Infact，thediversityofopinionsisamus-
ing。"
"Isit!"mumbledLieut。D'Hubert，trampingsteadilyfromwalltowall。Butwithinhimselfhemarvelledthattherecouldbetwoopinionsonthematter。Thesurgeoncontinued。
"Ofcourse，astherealfactsarenotknown——"
"Ishouldhavethought，"interruptedD'Hubert，"thatthefellowwouldhaveputyouinpossessionoffacts。"
"Hesaidsomething，"admittedtheother，"thefirsttimeIsawhim。And，bytheby，Ididfindhiminthegarden。Thethumponthebackofhisheadhadmadehimalittleincoherentthen。Afterwardshewasratherreticentthanotherwise。"
"Didn'tthinkhewouldhavethegracetobeashamed!"mumbledD'Hubert，resuminghispacingwhilethedoctormurmured，"It'sveryamusing。
Ashamed!Shamewasnotexactlyhisframeofmind。
However，youmaylookatthematterotherwise。"
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whatmatter?"
askedD'Hubert，withasidelonglookattheheavy-
faced，grey-hairedfigureseatedonawoodenchair。
"Whateveritis，"saidthesurgeonalittleim-
patiently，"Idon'twanttopronounceanyopiniononyourconduct——"
"Byheavens，youhadbetternot!"burstoutD'Hu-
bert。
"There!——there!Don'tbesoquickinflourishingthesword。Itdoesn'tpayinthelongrun。Under-
standonceforallthatIwouldnotcarveanyofyouyoungstersexceptwiththetoolsofmytrade。Butmyadviceisgood。Ifyougoonlikethisyouwillmakeforyourselfanuglyreputation。"
"Goonlikewhat?"demandedLieut。D'Hubert，stoppingshort，quitestartled。"I!——I!——makeformy-
selfareputation……Whatdoyouimagine?"
"ItoldyouIdon'twishtojudgeoftherightsandwrongsofthisincident。It'snotmybusiness。Never-
theless——"
"Whatonearthhashebeentellingyou?"interruptedLieut。D'Hubert，inasortofawedscare。
"Itoldyoualready，thatatfirst，whenIpickedhimupinthegarden，hewasincoherent。Afterwardshewasnaturallyreticent。ButIgatheratleastthathecouldnothelphimself。"
"Hecouldn't?"shoutedLieut。D'Hubertinagreatvoice。Then，loweringhistoneimpressively，"Andwhataboutme?CouldIhelpmyself?"
Thesurgeonstoodup。Histhoughtswererunningupontheflute，hisconstantcompanionwithaconsolingvoice。Inthevicinityoffieldambulances，aftertwenty-
fourhours'hardwork，hehadbeenknowntotroublewithitssweetsoundsthehorriblestillnessofbattle-
fields，givenovertosilenceandthedead。Thesolacinghourofhisdailylifewasapproaching，andinpeacetimeheheldontotheminutesasamisertohishoard。
"Ofcourse!——ofcourse!"hesaid，perfunctorily。
"Youwouldthinkso。It'samusing。However，beingperfectlyneutralandfriendlytoyouboth，Ihavecon-
sentedtodeliverhismessagetoyou。SaythatIamhumouringaninvalidifyoulike。Hewantsyoutoknowthatthisaffairisbynomeansatanend。Heintendstosendyouhissecondsdirectlyhehasregainedhisstrength——providing，ofcourse，thearmyisnotinthefieldatthattime。"
"Heintends，doeshe?Why，certainly，"splutteredLieut。D'Hubertinapassion。
Thesecretofhisexasperationwasnotapparenttothevisitor；butthispassionconfirmedthesurgeoninthebeliefwhichwasgaininggroundoutsidethatsomeveryseriousdifferencehadarisenbetweenthesetwoyoungmen，somethingseriousenoughtowearanairofmystery，somefactoftheutmostgravity。Tosettletheirurgentdifferenceaboutthatfact，thosetwoyoungmenhadriskedbeingbrokenanddisgracedattheout-
setalmostoftheircareer。Thesurgeonfearedthattheforthcominginquirywouldfailtosatisfythepubliccuriosity。Theywouldnottakethepublicintotheirconfidenceastothatsomethingwhichhadpassedbetweenthemofanaturesooutrageousastomakethemfaceachargeofmurder——neithermorenorless。
Butwhatcoulditbe?
Thesurgeonwasnotverycuriousbytemperament；
butthatquestionhauntinghismindcausedhimtwicethateveningtoholdtheinstrumentoffhislipsandsitsilentforawholeminute——rightinthemiddleofatune——tryingtoformaplausibleconjecture。
II
Hesucceededinthisobjectnobetterthantherestofthegarrisonandthewholeofsociety。Thetwoyoungofficers，ofnoespecialconsequencetillthen，be-
camedistinguishedbytheuniversalcuriosityastotheoriginoftheirquarrel。MadamedeLionne'ssalonwasthecentreofingenioussurmises；thatladyherselfwasforatimeassailedbyinquiriesasbeingthelastpersonknowntohavespokentotheseunhappyandrecklessyoungmenbeforetheywentouttogetherfromherhousetoasavageencounterwithswords，atdusk，inaprivategarden。Sheprotestedshehadnotobservedanythingunusualintheirdemeanour。Lieut。Feraudhadbeenvisiblyannoyedatbeingcalledaway。Thatwasnaturalenough；nomanlikestobedisturbedinaconversationwithaladyfamedforhereleganceandsensibility。ButintruththesubjectboredMadamedeLionne，sinceherpersonalitycouldbynostretchofrecklessgossipbeconnectedwiththisaffair。Anditirritatedhertohearitadvancedthattheremighthavebeensomewomaninthecase。Thisirritationarose，notfromhereleganceorsensibility，butfromamoreinstinctivesideofhernature。Itbecamesogreatatlastthatsheperemptorilyforbadethesubjecttobementionedunderherroof。Nearhercouchthepro-
hibitionwasobeyed，butfartheroffinthesalonthepalloftheimposedsilencecontinuedtobeliftedmoreorless。Apersonagewithalong，paleface，resemblingthecountenanceofasheep，opined，shakinghishead，thatitwasaquarreloflongstandingenvenomedbytime。Itwasobjectedtohimthatthementhemselvesweretooyoungforsuchatheory。TheybelongedalsotodifferentanddistantpartsofFrance。Therewereotherphysicalimpossibilities，too。Asub-commissaryoftheIntendence，anagreeableandcultivatedbachelorinkerseymerebreeches，Hessianboots，andabluecoatembroideredwithsilverlace，whoaffectedtobelieveinthetransmigrationofsouls，suggestedthatthetwohadmetperhapsinsomepreviousexistence。Thefeudwasintheforgottenpast。Itmighthavebeensomethingquiteinconceivableinthepresentstateoftheirbeing；
buttheirsoulsrememberedtheanimosity，andmani-
festedaninstinctiveantagonism。Hedevelopedthisthemejocularly。Yettheaffairwassoabsurdfromtheworldly，themilitary，thehonourable，ortheprudentialpointofview，thatthisweirdexplanationseemedrathermorereasonablethananyother。
Thetwoofficershadconfidednothingdefinitetoanyone。Humiliationathavingbeenworstedarmsinhand，andanuneasyfeelingofhavingbeeninvolvedinascrapebytheinjusticeoffate，keptLieut。Feraudsavagelydumb。Hemistrustedthesympathyofman-
kind。Thatwould，ofcourse，gotothatdandifiedstaffofficer。Lyinginbed，heravedaloudtotheprettymaidwhoadministeredtohisneedswithdevotion，andlistenedtohishorribleimprecationswithalarm。ThatLieut。D'Hubertshouldbemadeto"payforit，"seemedtoherjustandnatural。HerprincipalcarewasthatLieut。Feraudshouldnotexcitehimself。Heappearedsowhollyadmirableandfascinatingtothehumilityofherheartthatheronlyconcernwastoseehimgetwellquickly，evenifitwereonlytoresumehisvisitstoMadamedeLionne'ssalon。
Lieut。D'Hubertkeptsilentfortheimmediatereasonthattherewasnoone，exceptastupidyoungsoldierservant，tospeakto。Further，hewasawarethattheepisode，sograveprofessionally，haditscomicside。
Whenreflectinguponit，hestillfeltthathewouldliketowringLieut。Feraud'sneckforhim。Butthisformulawasfigurativeratherthanprecise，andexpressedmoreastateofmindthananactualphysicalimpulse。Atthesametime，therewasinthatyoungmanafeelingofcomradeshipandkindnesswhichmadehimunwillingtomakethepositionofLieut。Feraudworsethanitwas。
Hedidnotwanttotalkatlargeaboutthiswretchedaffair。Attheinquiryhewouldhave，ofcourse，tospeakthetruthinself-defence。Thisprospectvexedhim。
Butnoinquirytookplace。Thearmytookthefieldinstead。Lieut。D'Hubert，liberatedwithoutremark，tookuphisregimentalduties；andLieut。Feraud，hisarmjustoutofthesling，rodeunquestionedwithhissquadrontocompletehisconvalescenceinthesmokeofbattlefieldsandthefreshairofnightbivouacs。Thisbracingtreatmentsuitedhimsowell，thatatthefirstrumourofanarmisticebeingsignedhecouldturnwith-
outmisgivingstothethoughtsofhisprivatewarfare。
Thistimeitwastoberegularwarfare。HesenttwofriendstoLieut。D'Hubert，whoseregimentwasstationedonlyafewmilesaway。Thosefriendshadaskednoquestionsoftheirprincipal。"Iowehimone，thatprettystaffofficer，"hehadsaid，grimly，andtheywentawayquitecontentedlyontheirmission。Lieut。
D'Huberthadnodifficultyinfindingtwofriendsequallydiscreetanddevotedtotheirprincipal。
"There'sacrazyfellowtowhomImustgivealesson，"
hehaddeclaredcurtly；andtheyaskedfornobetterreasons。
Onthesegroundsanencounterwithduelling-swordswasarrangedoneearlymorninginaconvenientfield。
Atthethirdset-toLieut。D'Hubertfoundhimselflyingonhisbackonthedewygrasswithaholeinhisside。
Aserenesunrisingoveralandscapeofmeadowsandwoodshungonhisleft。Asurgeon——notthefluteplayer，butanother——wasbendingoverhim，feelingaroundthewound。
"Narrowsqueak。Butitwillbenothing，"hepro-
nounced。
Lieut。D'Hubertheardthesewordswithpleasure。
Oneofhisseconds，sittingonthewetgrass，andsus-
taininghisheadonhislap，said，"Thefortuneofwar，monpauvrevieux。Whatwillyouhave?Youhadbettermakeitupliketwogoodfellows。Do!"
"Youdon'tknowwhatyouask，"murmuredLieut。
D'Hubert，inafeeblevoice。"However，ifhe……"
InanotherpartofthemeadowthesecondsofLieut。
Feraudwereurginghimtogooverandshakehandswithhisadversary。
"Youhavepaidhimoffnow——quediable。It'stheproperthingtodo。ThisD'Hubertisadecentfellow。"
"Iknowthedecencyofthesegenerals'pets，"
mutteredLieut。Feraudthroughhisteeth，andthesombreexpressionofhisfacediscouragedfurthereffortsatreconciliation。Theseconds，bowingfromadistance，tooktheirmenoffthefield。IntheafternoonLieut。D'Hubert，verypopularasagoodcomradeunitinggreatbraverywithafrankandequabletemper，hadmanyvisitors。ItwasremarkedthatLieut。
Ferauddidnot，asiscustomary，showhimselfmuchabroadtoreceivethefelicitationsofhisfriends。Theywouldnothavefailedhim，becausehe，too，waslikedfortheexuberanceofhissouthernnatureandthesim-
plicityofhischaracter。Inalltheplaceswhereofficerswereinthehabitofassemblingattheendofthedaytheduelofthemorningwastalkedoverfromeverypointofview。ThoughLieut。D'Huberthadgotworstedthistime，hisswordplaywascommended。Noonecoulddenythatitwasveryclose，veryscientific。Itwasevenwhisperedthatifhegottoucheditwasbe-
causehewishedtosparehisadversary。ButbymanythevigouranddashofLieut。Feraud'sattackwerepro-
nouncedirresistible。
Themeritsofthetwoofficersascombatantswerefranklydiscussed；buttheirattitudetoeachotheraftertheduelwascriticisedlightlyandwithcaution。Itwasirreconcilable，andthatwastoberegretted。Butafteralltheyknewbestwhatthecareoftheirhonourdictated。Itwasnotamatterfortheircomradestopryintoover-much。Astotheoriginofthequarrel，thegeneralimpressionwasthatitdatedfromthetimetheywereholdinggarrisoninStrasbourg。Themusicalsurgeonshookhisheadatthat。Itwentmuchfartherback，hethought。
"Why，ofcourse!Youmustknowthewholestory，"
criedseveralvoices，eagerwithcuriosity。"Whatwasit?"
Heraisedhiseyesfromhisglassdeliberately。"EvenifIkneweversowell，youcan'texpectmetotellyou，sinceboththeprincipalschoosetosaynothing。"
Hegotupandwentout，leavingthesenseofmysterybehindhim。Hecouldnotstayanylonger，becausethewitchinghourofflute-playingwasdrawingnear。
Afterhehadgoneaveryyoungofficerobservedsolemnly，"Obviously，hislipsaresealed!"
Nobodyquestionedthehighcorrectnessofthatremark。Somehowitaddedtotheimpressivenessoftheaffair。Severalolderofficersofbothregiments，promptedbynothingbutsheerkindnessandloveofharmony，proposedtoformaCourtofHonour，towhichthetwoyoungmenwouldleavethetaskoftheirreconciliation。Unfortunatelytheybeganbyapproach-
ingLieut。Feraud，ontheassumptionthat，havingjustscoredheavily，hewouldbefoundplacableanddisposedtomoderation。
Thereasoningwassoundenough。Nevertheless，themoveturnedoutunfortunate。Inthatrelaxationofmoralfibre，whichisbroughtaboutbytheeaseofsoothedvanity，Lieut。Feraudhadcondescendedinthesecretofhishearttoreviewthecase，andevenhadcometodoubtnotthejusticeofhiscause，buttheabsolutesagacityofhisconduct。Thisbeingso，hewasdis-
inclinedtotalkaboutit。Thesuggestionoftheregi-
mentalwisemenputhiminadifficultposition。Hewasdisgustedatit，andthisdisgust，byaparadoxicallogic，reawakenedhisanimosityagainstLieut。D'Hu-
bert。Washetobepesteredwiththisfellowforever——
thefellowwhohadaninfernalknackofgettingroundpeoplesomehow?Andyetitwasdifficulttorefusepointblankthatmediationsanctionedbythecodeofhonour。
Hemetthedifficultybyanattitudeofgrimreserve。
Hetwistedhismoustacheandusedvaguewords。Hiscasewasperfectlyclear。HewasnotashamedtostateitbeforeaproperCourtofHonour，neitherwasheafraidtodefenditontheground。Hedidnotseeanyreasontojumpatthesuggestionbeforeascertain-
inghowhisadversarywaslikelytotakeit。
Laterintheday，hisexasperationgrowinguponhim，hewasheardinapublicplacesayingsardonically，"thatitwouldbetheveryluckiestthingforLieut。D'Hubert，becausethenexttimeofmeetingheneednothopetogetoffwiththemeretrifleofthreeweeksinbed。"
ThisboastfulphrasemighthavebeenpromptedbythemostprofoundMachiavellism。Southernnaturesoftenhide，undertheoutwardimpulsivenessofactionandspeech，acertainamountofastuteness。
Lieut。Feraud，mistrustingthejusticeofmen，bynomeansdesiredaCourtofHonour；andtheabovewords，accordingsowellwithhistemperament，hadalsothemeritofservinghisturn。Whethermeantsoornot，theyfoundtheirwayinlessthanfour-and-twentyhoursintoLieut。D'Hubert'sbedroom。InconsequenceLieut。D'Hubert，sittingproppedupwithpillows，re-
ceivedtheoverturesmadetohimnextdaybythestate-
mentthattheaffairwasofanaturewhichcouldnotbeardiscussion。
Thepalefaceofthewoundedofficer，hisweakvoicewhichhehadyettousecautiously，andthecourteousdignityofhistonehadagreateffectonhishearers。
ReportedoutsideallthisdidmorefordeepeningthemysterythanthevapouringsofLieut。Feraud。Thislastwasgreatlyrelievedattheissue。Hebegantoenjoythestateofgeneralwonder，andwaspleasedtoaddtoitbyassuminganattitudeoffiercediscretion。
ThecolonelofLieut。D'Hubert'sregimentwasagrey-haired，weather-beatenwarrior，whotookasimpleviewofhisresponsibilities。"Ican't，"hesaidtohim-
self，"letthebestofmysubalternsgetdamagedlikethisfornothing。Imustgettothebottomofthisaffairprivately。Hemustspeakoutifthedevilwereinit。
Thecolonelshouldbemorethanafathertotheseyoungsters。"Andindeedhelovedallhismenwithasmuchaffectionasafatherofalargefamilycanfeelforeveryindividualmemberofit。IfhumanbeingsbyanoversightofProvidencecameintotheworldasmerecivilians，theywerebornagainintoaregimentasin-
fantsarebornintoafamily，anditwasthatmilitarybirthalonewhichcounted。
AtthesightofLieut。D'Hubertstandingbeforehimverybleachedandhollow-eyedtheheartoftheoldwarriorfeltapangofgenuinecompassion。Allhisaffectionfortheregiment——thatbodyofmenwhichheheldinhishandtolaunchforwardanddrawback，whoministeredtohisprideandcommandedallhisthoughts——seemedcentredforamomentonthepersonofthemostpromisingsubaltern。Heclearedhisthroatinathreateningmanner，andfrownedterribly。"Youmustunderstand，"hebegan，"thatIdon'tcarearapforthelifeofasinglemanintheregiment。Iwouldsendtheeighthundredandforty-threeofyoumenandhorsesgallopingintothepitofperditionwithnomorecom-
punctionthanIwouldkillafly!"
"Yes，Colonel。Youwouldberidingatourhead，"
saidLieut。D'Hubertwithawansmile。
Thecolonel，whofelttheneedofbeingverydiplo-
matic，fairlyroaredatthis。"Iwantyoutoknow，Lieut。D'Hubert，thatIcouldstandasideandseeyouallridingtoHadesifneedbe。Iamamantodoeventhatifthegoodoftheserviceandmydutytomycountryrequireditfromme。Butthat'sunthinkable，sodon'tyouevenhintatsuchathing。"Heglaredawfully，buthistonesoftened。"There'ssomemilkyetaboutthatmoustacheofyours，myboy。Youdon'tknowwhatamanlikemeiscapableof。Iwouldhidebehindahaystackif……Don'tgrinatme，sir!
Howdareyou?IfthiswerenotaprivateconversationIwould……Lookhere!Iamresponsiblefortheproperexpenditureoflivesundermycommandforthegloryofourcountryandthehonouroftheregiment。
Doyouunderstandthat?Well，then，whatthedevildoyoumeanbylettingyourselfbespittedlikethisbythatfellowofthe7thHussars?It'ssimplydisgraceful!"
Lieut。D'Hubertfeltvexedbeyondmeasure。Hisshouldersmovedslightly。Hemadenootheranswer。
Hecouldnotignorehisresponsibility。
Thecolonelveiledhisglanceandloweredhisvoicestillmore。"It'sdeplorable!"hemurmured。Andagainhechangedhistone。"Come!"hewenton，persuasively，butwiththatnoteofauthoritywhichdwellsinthethroatofagoodleaderofmen，"thisaffairmustbesettled。Idesiretobetoldplainlywhatitisallabout。Idemand，asyourbestfriend，toknow。"
Thecompellingpowerofauthority，thepersuasiveinfluenceofkindness，affectedpowerfullyamanjustrisenfromabedofsickness。Lieut。D'Hubert'shand，whichgraspedtheknobofastick，trembledslightly。
Buthisnortherntemperament，sentimentalyetcautiousandclear-sighted，too，initsidealisticway，checkedhisimpulsetomakeacleanbreastofthewholedeadlyabsurdity。Accordingtothepreceptoftranscendentalwisdom，heturnedhistongueseventimesinhismouthbeforehespoke。Hemadethenonlyaspeechofthanks。
Thecolonellistened，interestedatfirst，thenlookedmystified。Atlasthefrowned。"Youhesitate?——
milletonnerres!Haven'tItoldyouthatIwillcon-
descendtoarguewithyou——asafriend?"
"Yes，Colonel!"answeredLieut。D'Hubert，gently。
"ButIamafraidthatafteryouhaveheardmeoutasafriendyouwilltakeactionasmysuperiorofficer。"
Theattentivecolonelsnappedhisjaws。"Well，whatofthat?"hesaid，frankly。"Isitsodamnablydisgraceful?"
"Itisnot，"negativedLieut。D'Hubert，inafaintbutfirmvoice。
"Ofcourse，Ishallactforthegoodoftheservice。
Nothingcanpreventmedoingthat。WhatdoyouthinkIwanttobetoldfor?"
"Iknowitisnotfromidlecuriosity，"protestedLieut。D'Hubert。"Iknowyouwillactwisely。Butwhataboutthegoodfameoftheregiment?"
"Itcannotbeaffectedbyanyyouthfulfollyofalieutenant，"saidthecolonel，severely。
"No。Itcannotbe。Butitcanbebyeviltongues。
Itwillbesaidthatalieutenantofthe4thHussars，afraidofmeetinghisadversary，ishidingbehindhiscolonel。Andthatwouldbeworsethanhidingbehindahaystack——forthegoodoftheservice。Icannotaffordtodothat，Colonel。"
"Nobodywoulddaretosayanythingofthekind，"
beganthecolonelveryfiercely，butendedthephraseonanuncertainnote。ThebraveryofLieut。D'Hubertwaswellknown。Butthecolonelwaswellawarethattheduellingcourage，thesinglecombatcourage，isrightlyorwronglysupposedtobecourageofaspecialsort。Anditwaseminentlynecessarythatanofficerofhisregimentshouldpossesseverykindofcourage——andproveit，too。Thecolonelstuckouthislowerlip，andlookedfarawaywithapeculiarglazedstare。Thiswastheexpressionofhisperplexity——anexpressionpracti-
callyunknowntohisregiment；forperplexityisasenti-
mentwhichisincompatiblewiththerankofcolonelofcavalry。Thecolonelhimselfwasovercomebytheunpleasantnoveltyofthesensation。Ashewasnotaccustomedtothinkexceptonprofessionalmattersconnectedwiththewelfareofmenandhorses，andtheproperusethereofonthefieldofglory，hisintellectualeffortsdegeneratedintomerementalrepetitionsofpro-
fanelanguage。"Milletonnerres!……Sacrenomdenom……"hethought。
Lieut。D'Hubertcoughedpainfully，andaddedinawearyvoice:"TherewillbeplentyofeviltonguestosaythatI'vebeencowed。AndIamsureyouwillnotexpectmetopassthatover。Imayfindmyselfsuddenlywithadozenduelsonmyhandsinsteadofthisoneaffair。"
Thedirectsimplicityofthisargumentcamehometothecolonel'sunderstanding。Helookedathissubordi-
natefixedly。"Sitdown，Lieutenant!"hesaid，gruffly。
"Thisistheverydevilofa……Sitdown!"
"MonColonel，"D'Hubertbeganagain，"Iamnotafraidofeviltongues。There'sawayofsilencingthem。
Butthere'smypeaceofmind，too。Iwouldn'tbeabletoshakeoffthenotionthatI'veruinedabrotherofficer。
Whateveractionyoutake，itisboundtogofarther。
Theinquiryhasbeendropped——letitrestnow。ItwouldhavebeenabsolutelyfataltoFeraud。"
"Hey!What!Didhebehavesobadly?"
"Yes。Itwasprettybad，"mutteredLieut。D'Hubert。
Beingstillveryweak，hefeltadispositiontocry。
Astheothermandidnotbelongtohisownregimentthecolonelhadnodifficultyinbelievingthis。Hebegantopaceupanddowntheroom。Hewasagoodchief，amancapableofdiscreetsympathy。Buthewashumaninotherways，too，andthisbecameapparentbecausehewasnotcapableofartifice。