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studious, they served at the same time to break down that barrier which always stands, as an absolute barricade, between the students in German universities and the 'outside' world. Therefore in Paris there was more of refined debauchery, in the universities more outand-out, dare-devil dissipation and hardihood, in Paris more intrigue, an occasional assassination and a few duels, in the universities less intrigue, no assassinations, and half a dozen duels per diem. The morals of the students generally were bad-deplorably bad. With comparatively few exceptions, each student lived with his maîtresse, who, beside being his faithful and attached friend,' (I use the parlance of the town,) performed the part of his housekeeper, saw to the preparation of his café, and looked kindly after his wardrobe. These alliances sometimes continued for years, with fidelity upon both sides: but it is not my purpose to go into any detail of what has so often been spoken of. I only allude to it here, to make my story intelligible.

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My lodgings were in the Rue d'Enfer; several acquaintances had apartments in the same place. Most of us attended upon the same lecturers and walked the same hospitals.

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Directly across the street stood an antiquated—even for the Rue d'Enferstone house, on which I had never seen placarded 'apartemens à louer,' but where lived a pale, slender, sad-looking, light-haired young man, who came forth daily and proceeded to the lecture-room or to the hospital. As he happened to make similar rounds with myself, I soon got acquainted with him; that is, we spoke when we met, walked along together if we fell in company, and conversed, though sparingly, on ordinary topics: farther than this, however, I found it hard to push my new acquaintance. He was a native of Wirtemberg, and his name was Ludwig Bernhardi. There was a mystery about him which I could not fathom. His manner was neither cold nor distant, but beyond a certain point no one could get with him. He declined every invitation to visit, and never invited any one · to visit him. He kept very quiet, went to no place of amusement, and never mingled among the students. There was a large garden attached to the old stone house where Bernhardi lodged, and a lively young Frenchman, one of our company, one day ran through the hall and looked out into this garden, where he saw, as he declared, the pale student walking with a beautiful young girl. After this announcement the mystery for a time was solved: Bernhardi was so taken up with his 'chere amie' that for the present he cared for nothing better;'The Wirtemberger was no fool, after all;' The German was silent and shrewd,' and so on and so forth. For myself I did not fall in with these generally-received explanations. There was something about that pale and saddened face, that suffering and subdued air, which was inconsistent with any of them; at least they did not satisfy me. No one had as yet got a glimpse of the fair maiden, except the young Frenchman, and he made his companions half crazy with his descriptions of her beauty. while curiosity began to prevail again. Singular to say, the girl was never seen to come to the street, either by herself or in company

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with her lover. Now Bernhardi might have lodged a dozen nymphs in the old stone house, and not a soul would have taken notice of it so long as things had gone on after a natural way; but when the student never walked out with his sweet-heart, never took her to the 'theatre,' nor to the gardens,' nor to a 'spectacle;' when the maid never appeared at the window, nor in the hall, nor at the little fruitmarket, where ripe cherries and strawberries, the usual accompaniments of a student's breakfast, were procured by the devoted 'friend ;' when, to crown the mystery, the young girl was observed one day to come to the street-door, and was about passing out, when Bernhardi hurried after her, and, partly by force, partly by entreaty, urged her away; the curiosity of every one became excited, and the matter itself was a topic of general conversation and remark. Notwithstanding all this, no one, that I am aware of, said aught to the student on the subject. He was just the kind of person that no one would care to take such a liberty with. One could not but entertain a vague apprehension that by so doing one might rouse a sleeping devil which should not be so easy to lay.

About that time a new-comer took possession of an apartment in our house which had been vacated a few days previous. He was from Marseilles; a tall, swarthy, black-looking creature, brawny and muscular, a savage in appearance, with a reckless swaggering gait, a bullying air; a fierce, impudent mien. He was just the sort of fellow to domineer over the timid and the yielding, and to hide his crest in presence of true courage and resolution. To persons of such description I generally give a wide berth:' I would rather avoid than quarrel with them. There are no laurels to be gained in silencing a barking dog; and there is something humiliating in a conquest over a poltroon and a coward.

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For this reason, I made it a point to have as little to do with Balaiguer (that was the name of the Marseillese) as possible. Some of my comrades were particularly taken by his bold front and egregious pretensions; and with a certain class he got to be both leader and oracle. I soon discovered him to be an infamous creature. He was, beside, a miserable debauchee, and was actually doing serious injury to habits and morals among a class where habits and morals were in all conscience lax enough.

Balaiguer was not long in getting hold of the story of Bernhardi. Then he swore a vulgar oath that 'he would unearth this sly fellow; he would see whether a man had a right to keep his pretty mistress shut up in a cage like a bird. He would pay the little minx a visit, and what was more, by- ! he would carry her off, nolens volens, before the little Dutchman's face and eyes.'

I happened to be present at this harangue, which was made one day to a knot of students assembled in the 'salle-à-manger.' Balaiguer's announcement made me shudder; not that I feared for the safety of the parties threatened; but a presentiment suddenly came across me that death would be in the mess which the Marseillese was brewing.

The next day Majendie was to lecture at eleven upon the 'cause of pulsation.' I had returned from my usual morning visit to the

hospital De Notre Mère de Pitié;' where we had the privilege of following' the celebrated Louis; and was quietly seated at my little breakfast-table, when, after a light knock, the young Frenchman, who had reconnoitred the garden across the street, entered the room. I should have mentioned that he was a Parisian, of good family, and although gay, thoughtless, and fond of a frolic, had nevertheless a nice sense of honor, coupled with real refinement of character.

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'Do you know,' said he, that I feel reproached about our neighbor opposite? Here is Balaiguer, who swears that as soon as Bernhardi goes to the lecture he will run over and make love to his mistress : now I know the bête will do her some violence, and it is all owing to the foolish stories I have told of my seeing her in the garden; I thought but to have some fun with my comrades; to tell you the truth, the girl was beautiful, but there was something in the looks of both that has made my heart ache ever since. Believe me, it is not as we suppose; and yet my jokes have set on this coquin.

do?

What shall I

'You are a noble fellow,' I exclaimed, involuntarily. The young Frenchman took my hand and pressed it to his heart. The impulsive words were appreciated. We will step at once,' said I, 'to Balaiguer. He must not think of such a thing. We do not want to quarrel with him; but we

'Fear nobody,' interrupted the young Frenchman. Let us go.' Accordingly, we proceeded to the apartment of the Marseillese. It wanted but ten minutes to eleven. If I made any delay I should lose even a tolerable seat in the lecture-room: so I came at once to the point. Under other circumstances I might have been less direct. 'Belaiguer,' said I, 'our friend here informs me that we are altogether on the wrong scent as to Bernhardi, and that there is nothing over the way to excite your curiosity or repay your gallantry. We hope, therefore, you will let our neighbor rest in peace.'

Bah!' said Belaiguer; at the same time putting the fore-finger of his right hand under his eye, and pulling down the lower lid, he exclaimed, in a jeering tone, ' à d'autres!'

'I suppose I understand you,' I continued. Now look you, Monsieur Balaiguer, we students love fair play. I am no informer, but I give you notice that I shall warn Bernhardi of what you would be at. Good morning.'

'You could not do me a greater favor,' shouted the Marseillese, as the young Frenchman and I passed from the room. 'Tell the Dutchman to hurry, for I shall make short work of it.'

We descended to the street, hoping to see Bernhardi as he came from his room: we were too late. Our concierge informed us that he saw Monsieur leave his house nearly five minutes before we came down. Hasten after him,' said the young Frenchman. I will not go to the lecture; I will remain in my room. Mon Dieu! I am quite

nervous.'

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I had nearly half a mile to walk, or rather to run, for I believe I ran all the way. As I anticipated, the lecture-room was crowded. The lecture had commencd, for Majendie was punctual, and he had

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much ground to go over. A goose, which was to be dissected alive in the course of the lecture, stood upon the table, in charge of a favorite student, and as I entered, the familiar comprenez-vous' of the lecturer fell upon my ear. I heard nothing more. I glanced anxiously up and down, over and across the room, but could not see the object of my search.

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What the devil is the matter with you?' said my friend B. taking hold of me.

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Nothing; I want to find Bernhardi.'

There he is, away in that corner. Don't you see him?'

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I took a direct course for the corner, sometimes over a student's back, sometimes over the benches, and laid my hand upon his shoulder. 'You had better go home!' I whispered in his ear.

Quick as thought the German sprung to his feet. His face became livid; his eyes started from their sockets.

"Quick!' said 1.

Bernhardi had disappeared.

I do not know how I sat out the lecture. I have some recollection of seeing the poor goose struggle, or try to struggle, and of the complacent air of the lecturer, ashe mingled his 'Entendez vous?' 'Eh bien! voyez vous,' with the cries of the suffering creature, while he deliberately cut away muscle, and nerve, and tendon, in the gradual illustration of his subject. But my thoughts were elsewhere. I saw in my mind Bernhardi and the Marseillese. I pictured every conceivable catastrophe; and so engrossed did I become in this, that the first hint I had of the completion of the lecture was the general uproar consequent upon clearing the hall. I hurried out by myself, and hastened to the Rue d'Enfer.

Going up the staircase I saw a few drops of blood scattered along. At that moment the young Frenchman opened the door of his room, and drew me into it. His mirthful countenance at once relieved me. 'Come in -come in!' he exclaimed; 'I have been watching for you. Belaiguer has caught it,' and he began laughing immoderately.

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Don't laugh any more, for Heaven's sake, till I know what you are laughing at !'

Whereupon in few words the young Frenchman informed me that very soon after I left, Balaiguer crossed over to Bernhardi's quarters; that he stationed himself at an open window to watch the other's movements; that after the lapse of some five minutes he heard a violent scream, and was about rushing across to protect the party assailed, when Bernhardi came tearing down the street like a madman, and ran into the house and up the stairs, and in less than a minute the Marseillese was seen rolling from the top to the bottom; that he picked himself up and skulked back into his room, bleeding, but, as my companion feared, not much hurt.

After expressing our mutual delight at the termination of the affair, I went to my own room. I took it for granted that the matter was ended, for I knew that Balaiguer had not courage to push it farther, and I supposed that Bernhardi would rest satisfied with the chastisement he had already inflicted. I was mistaken; for in a few

minutes a knock was heard at my door, and Bernhardi entered. He was pale as death; his eyes glistened with intense hate and desperation; his soul appeared harrowed by the most violent emotions; but when he spoke his words fell slow, and were articulated naturally.

'I am under an obligation to you: for that reason I come here. I would be still deeper in your debt. Will you go for me to the wretch and demand immediate satisfaction? I say immediate !'

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Are you not carrying the matter too far?' said I, soothingly; 'has he not been sufficiently punished?"

'Punished!' said Bernhardi, fiercely; 'do you know what he attempted ?'

I shook my head.

'Then it shall forever remain unknown.

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minute, and I should have been too late! Hear you that? Will you act for me? Will you act now? Will you see that we meet forthwith?'

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'That will depend on your adversary.?

Oh, I cannot wait-I will not wait!" exclaimed Bernhardi : 'go! go!'

The irresistible frenzy of the student prevailed. I was taken by surprise. Quiet and peaceful as was the life I led, before I was aware of it I found this strange commission thrust upon me; and almost before I knew it I was in Balaiguer's room. The Marseillese sat smoking with a light cap upon his head, which only partly concealed some recent bruises.

'So,' said the savage, 'you come to have your laugh with the rest! and you were the tell-tale, eh? -you were the sneak!'

'We will settle these epithets by-and-by; at present another's business has a preference. You must be aware that your conduct this morning

'What of it?'

'Nothing, except that Bernhardi will meet you at any moment you will appoint; for him the sooner the better."

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For me the sooner the better,' growled the Marseillese.

Who is your friend?'

'Sacré bleu ! that remains to be seen. I will send him to you.'

I went back to my room, somewhat surprised at the bold bearing of Balaiguer, for I was sure that he was a coward, until I remembered that he was an expert swordsman, and that Bernhardi once told me that he himself had little knowledge of the weapon.

In about a quarter of an hour an acquaintance called on the part of Balaiguer. As I anticipated, swords were chosen. As to time and place, the Marseillese was quite indifferent.

There was a large hall over a billiard-room in a street near by, where many of the students were in the habit of fencing, but where, at that hour of the day, no one was likely to be seen.

we agreed to repair forthwith.

To this hall

I summoned Bernhardi, and, accompanied by another friend, according to arrangement, we proceeded to the appointed place.

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