\"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。
