killed, as the fact of the duel was unquestionable, by the testimony of the Count's postilion. Besides, the dying man declared the fact, but refused to name his antagonist. After investigating the barren evidence, and questioning a few scandal-suggested murderers of the fashionable world, the inquest was terminated with the verdict as above: quite as satisfactory as the generality of such mystifications. Perfectly convinced that Mlle. Duplessis alone could implicate him, and “morally” certain that she would not, Gramont heard the news with the exclamation of surprise and concern usual on such occasions, and even volunteered "a probable opinion” as to the truth of certain conjectures respecting the Count's exterminator. His reflections on the extraordinary meeting with Valremy were, naturally, most harassing. The fact puzzled him, but how to explain it puzzled him still more. It was, therefore, with vast satisfaction that he heard of the "edifying circumstances" attending the Count's departure. A Jesuit had attended the dying man. M. Duplessis (who was under peculiar obligations to him, and intimately connected with the Jesuits) might be boldly applied to; and a due explanation could be demanded respecting the suspicious conduct of his daughter. Thus emboldened by the Count's refusal to give the name of his antagonist-one of the "edifying" circumstances of his death-and now hopeful of 190 A MAN WHO CAN TAKE A LIBERTY. gaining the desired explanation, Gramont hastened to M. Duplessis. We left M. Duplessis pacing his apartment, in anxious thought. M. Gramont is announcedadmitted. Gramont entered the room as a man who feels that he can take a liberty-that he can presume to any extent. How easily are such men recognised, even by strangers? The tones of the voice, the looks, the address of those who are permitted to presume are never to be mistaken. M. Gramont began, as on a former occasion-for he always talked of" honour"— "M. Duplessis, you are a man of honour." There was no reply; M. Duplessis was crestfallen; he foreboded a crisis. 'Yes, M. Duplessis, the matter is serious-very serious, my good sir. Excessively perplexing! What an amusing adventure! I set out for an evening walk. I wander here, I wander there, loitering I know not whither. Presently I see a gate open. I stand and observe. The moon lends her light. "I discover a female form. "Note my words, M. Duplessis; a female form— in other words, a woman-in plainer words, a young lady. "I imagine I know that young lady. ""Tis quite natural-I follow that young lady— for, need I tell you that the young lady did not open the gate in order to stand still beside it. HIS INSOLENCE. "She bounded off like an antelope. 191 66 I pursue; and by dint of hard running, I keep within-just three hundred yards of her. "She stops. "I stop. "Presently, a male form presents itself. Note my words, M. Duplessis-a male form "State your object at once, M. Gramont. What mean you ? You tire me," exclaimed M. Duplessis. "Allow me to continue," rejoined Gramont, very firmly. "A male form-in other words, a man-in plainer words, a young gentleman. "I am, of course, excessively interested in this apparition, M. Duplessis. “I approach. "The young gentleman comes forth—he emerges. "The young lady trips to his arms. "Oh, 't was a ravishing sight! It attracted me like universal gravitation, or Mohammed's loadstone. "I rush forth-and recognise your daughter, Mlle. Adele Duplessis-my betrothed-leaning on the blessed arms of another man. "Was it not a delightful vision for a man of honour, good M. Duplessis, father of my betrothed, and my dear friend? Let me continue: no interruption, sir: be silent. 66 Well, sir; I suspend the ecstacies of love. "I cause an embarrassment. I do more. I invite the gentleman to a private interview. I challenge him. I find him to be-Valremy! "Was it not extraordinary? "I kill him, of course-but this between usyou're a man of honour. "And now, good M. Duplessis, have compassion on me, and explain this mystery, if you please. I command you." M. Duplessis sat down, supporting his forehead on his right hand, whilst his left twitched his coatbuttons. "Yes, M. Duplessis, this is the critical moment; the fatal moment, I may say. I command you to explain at once. Satisfy my honour, or-you know the rest." After a moment's hesitation, M. Duplessis stammered out the desired explanation, giving Adele's account circumstantially, and thus concluded: "My dear Gramont, your honour is safe, intact. The girl is innocent-necessarily so. Valremy declared the fact on his deathbed to Father Maugras. I refer you to him. I am ready to hasten your nuptials." "That looks like business, my dear M. Duplessis. You are a man of honour. I accept your offer. Let it be the day after to-morrow. I shall wait no longer. "You have assured me that your daughter loves She has every reason to do so, I imagine. I am a man of honour. me. |