If Valentine could have seen the trembling step and agitatedcountenance of Franz when he quitted the chamber of M.Noirtier, even she would have been constrained to pity him.Villefort had only just given utterance to a few incoherentsentences, and then retired to his study, where he receivedabout two hours afterwards the following letter: -

"After all the disclosures which were made this morning, M.Noirtier de Villefort must see the utter impossibility ofany alliance being formed between his family and that of M.Franz d'Epinay. M. d'Epinay must say that he is shocked andastonished that M. de Villefort, who appeared to be aware ofall the circumstances detailed this morning, should not haveanticipated him in this announcement."

No one who had seen the magistrate at this moment, sothoroughly unnerved by the recent inauspicious combinationof circumstances, would have supposed for an instant that hehad anticipated the annoyance; although it certainly neverhad occurred to him that his father would carry candor, orrather rudeness, so far as to relate such a history. And injustice to Villefort, it must be understood that M.Noirtier, who never cared for the opinion of his son on anysubject, had always omitted to explain the affair toVillefort, so that he had all his life entertained thebelief that General de Quesnel, or the Baron d'Epinay, as hewas alternately styled, according as the speaker wished toidentify him by his own family name, or by the title whichhad been conferred on him, fell the victim of assassination,and not that he was killed fairly in a duel. This harshletter, coming as it did from a man generally so polite andrespectful, struck a mortal blow at the pride of Villefort.Hardly had he read the letter, when his wife entered. Thesudden departure of Franz, after being summoned by M.Noirtier, had so much astonished every one, that theposition of Madame de Villefort, left alone with the notaryand the witnesses, became every moment more embarrassing.Determined to bear it no longer, she arose and left theroom; saying she would go and make some inquiries into thecause of his sudden disappearance.

M. de Villefort's communications on the subject were verylimited and concise; he told her, in fact, that anexplanation had taken place between M. Noirtier, M.d'Epinay, and himself, and that the marriage of Valentineand Franz would consequently be broken off. This was anawkward and unpleasant thing to have to report to those whowere awaiting her return in the chamber of herfather-in-law. She therefore contented herself with sayingthat M. Noirtier having at the commencement of thediscussion been attacked by a sort of apoplectic fit, theaffair would necessarily be deferred for some days longer.This news, false as it was following so singularly in thetrain of the two similar misfortunes which had so recentlyoccurred, evidently astonished the auditors, and theyretired without a word. During this time Valentine, at onceterrified and happy, after having embraced and thanked thefeeble old man for thus breaking with a single blow thechain which she had been accustomed to consider asirrefragable, asked leave to retire to her own room, inorder to recover her composure. Noirtier looked thepermission which she solicited. But instead of going to herown room, Valentine, having once gained her liberty, enteredthe gallery, and, opening a small door at the end of it.found herself at once in the garden.

In the midst of all the strange events which had crowded oneon the other, an indefinable sentiment of dread had takenpossession of Valentine's mind. She expected every momentthat she should see Morrel appear, pale and trembling, toforbid the signing of the contract, like the Laird ofRavenswood in "The Bride of Lammermoor." It was high timefor her to make her appearance at the gate, for Maximilianhad long awaited her coming. He had half guessed what wasgoing on when he saw Franz quit the cemetery with M. deVillefort. He followed M. d'Epinay, saw him enter,afterwards go out, and then re-enter with Albert andChateau-Renaud. He had no longer any doubts as to the natureof the conference; he therefore quickly went to the gate inthe clover-patch, prepared to hear the result of theproceedings, and very certain that Valentine would hasten tohim the first moment she should he set at liberty. He wasnot mistaken; peering through the crevices of the woodenpartition, he soon discovered the young girl, who cast asideall her usual precautions and walked at once to the barrier.The first glance which Maximilian directed towards herentirely reassured him, and the first words she spoke madehis heart bound with delight.

"We are saved!" said Valentine. "Saved?" repeated Morrel,not being able to conceive such intense happiness; "bywhom?"

"By my grandfather. Oh, Morrel, pray love him for all hisgoodness to us!" Morrel swore to love him with all his soul;and at that moment he could safely promise to do so, for hefelt as though it were not enough to love him merely as afriend or even as a father. "But tell me, Valentine, how hasit all been effected? What strange means has he used tocompass this blessed end?"

Valentine was on the point of relating all that had passed,but she suddenly remembered that in doing so she must reveala terrible secret which concerned others as well as hergrandfather, and she said, "At some future time I will tellyou all about it."

"But when will that be?"

"When I am your wife."

The conversation had now turned upon a topic so pleasing toMorrel, that he was ready to accede to anything thatValentine thought fit to propose, and he likewise felt thata piece of intelligence such as he just heard ought to bemore than sufficient to content him for one day. However, hewould not leave without the promise of seeing Valentineagain the next night. Valentine promised all that Morrelrequired of her, and certainly it was less difficult now forher to believe that she should marry Maximilian than it wasan hour ago to assure herself that she should not marryFranz. During the time occupied by the interview we havejust detailed, Madame de Villefort had gone to visit M.Noirtier. The old man looked at her with that stern andforbidding expression with which he was accustomed toreceive her.

"Sir," said she, "it is superfluous for me to tell you thatValentine's marriage is broken off, since it was here thatthe affair was concluded." Noirtier's countenance remainedimmovable. "But one thing I can tell you, of which I do notthink you are aware; that is, that I have always beenopposed to this marriage, and that the contract was enteredinto entirely without my consent or approbation." Noirtierregarded his daughter-in-law with the look of a man desiringan explanation. "Now that this marriage, which I know you somuch disliked, is done away with, I come to you on an errandwhich neither M. de Villefort nor Valentine couldconsistently undertake." Noirtier's eyes demanded the natureof her mission. "I come to entreat you, sir," continuedMadame de Villefort, "as the only one who has the right ofdoing so, inasmuch as I am the only one who will receive nopersonal benefit from the transaction, - I come to entreatyou to restore, not your love, for that she has alwayspossessed, but to restore your fortune to yourgranddaughter."

There was a doubtful expression in Noirtier's eyes; he wasevidently trying to discover the motive of this proceeding,and he could not succeed in doing so. "May I hope, sir,"said Madame de Villefort, "that your intentions accord withmy request?" Noirtier made a sign that they did. "In thatcase, sir," rejoined Madame de Villefort, "I will leave youoverwhelmed with gratitude and happiness at your promptacquiescence to my wishes." She then bowed to M. Noirtierand retired.

The next day M. Noirtier sent for the notary; the first willwas torn up and a second made, in which he left the whole ofhis fortune to Valentine, on condition that she should neverbe separated from him. It was then generally reported thatMademoiselle de Villefort, the heiress of the marquis andmarchioness of Saint-Meran, had regained the good graces ofher grandfather, and that she would ultimately be inpossession of an income of 300,000 livres.

While all the proceedings relative to the dissolution of themarriage-contract were being carried on at the house of M.de Villefort, Monte Cristo had paid his visit to the Countof Morcerf, who, in order to lose no time in responding toM. Danglars' wishes, and at the same time to pay all duedeference to his position in society, donned his uniform oflieutenant-general, which he ornamented with all hiscrosses, and thus attired, ordered his finest horses anddrove to the Rue de la Chausse d'Antin.

Danglars was balancing his monthly accounts, and it wasperhaps not the most favorable moment for finding him in hisbest humor. At the first sight of his old friend, Danglarsassumed his majestic air, and settled himself in hiseasy-chair. Morcerf, usually so stiff and formal, accostedthe banker in an affable and smiling manner, and, feelingsure that the overture he was about make would be wellreceived, he did not consider it necessary to adopt anymanoeuvres in order to gain his end, but went at oncestraight to the point.

"Well, baron," said he, "here I am at last; some time haselapsed since our plans were formed, and they are not yetexecuted." Morcerf paused at these words, quietly waitingtill the cloud should have dispersed which had gathered onthe brow of Danglars, and which he attributed to hissilence; but, on the contrary, to his great surprise, itgrew darker and darker. "To what do you allude, monsieur?"said Danglars; as if he were trying in vain to guess at thepossible meaning of the general's words.

"Ah," said Morcerf, "I see you are a stickler for forms, mydear sir, and you would remind me that the ceremonial ritesshould not be omitted. Ma foi, I beg your pardon, but as Ihave but one son, and it is the first time I have everthought of marrying him, I am still serving myapprenticeship, you know; come, I will reform." And Morcerfwith a forced smile arose, and, making a low bow to M.Danglars, said: "Baron, I have the honor of asking of youthe hand of Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars for my son, theVicomte Albert de Morcerf."

But Danglars, instead of receiving this address in thefavorable manner which Morcerf had expected, knit his brow,and without inviting the count, who was still standing, totake a seat. he said: "Monsieur, it will be necessary toreflect before I give you an answer."

"To reflect?" said Morcerf, more and more astonished; "haveyou not had enough time for reflection during the eightyears which have elapsed since this marriage was firstdiscussed between us?"

"Count," said the banker, "things are constantly occurringin the world to induce us to lay aside our most establishedopinions, or at all events to cause us to remodel themaccording to the change of circumstances, which may haveplaced affairs in a totally different light to that in whichwe at first viewed them."

"I do not understand you, baron," said Morcerf.

"What I mean to say is this, sir, - that during the lastfortnight unforeseen circumstances have occurred" -

"Excuse me," said Morcerf, "but is it a play we are acting?"

"A play?"

"Yes, for it is like one; pray let us come more to thepoint, and endeavor thoroughly to understand each other."

"That is quite my desire."

"You have seen M. de Monte Cristo have you not?"

"I see him very often," said Danglars, drawing himself up;"he is a particular friend of mine."

"Well, in one of your late conversations with him, you saidthat I appeared to be forgetful and irresolute concerningthis marriage, did you not?"

"I did say so."

"Well, here I am, proving at once that I am really neitherthe one nor the other, by entreating you to keep yourpromise on that score."

Danglars did not answer. "Have you so soon changed yourmind," added Morcerf, "or have you only provoked my requestthat you may have the pleasure of seeing me humbled?"Danglars, seeing that if he continued the conversation inthe same tone in which he had begun it, the whole thingmight turn out to his own disadvantage, turned to Morcerf,and said: "Count, you must doubtless be surprised at myreserve, and I assure you it costs me much to act in such amanner towards you; but, believe me when I say thatimperative necessity has imposed the painful task upon me."

"These are all so many empty words, my dear sir," saidMorcerf: "they might satisfy a new acquaintance, but theComte de Morcerf does not rank in that list; and when a manlike him comes to another, recalls to him his plighted word,and this man fails to redeem the pledge, he has at least aright to exact from him a good reason for so doing."Danglars was a coward, but did not wish to appear so; he waspiqued at the tone which Morcerf had just assumed. "I am notwithout a good reason for my conduct," replied the banker.

"What do you mean to say?"

"I mean to say that I have a good reason, but that it isdifficult to explain."

"You must be aware, at all events, that it is impossible forme to understand motives before they are explained to me;but one thing at least is clear, which is, that you declineallying yourself with my family."

"No, sir," said Danglars; "I merely suspend my decision,that is all."

"And do you really flatter yourself that I shall yield toall your caprices, and quietly and humbly await the time ofagain being received into your good graces?"

"Then, count, if you will not wait, we must look upon theseprojects as if they had never been entertained." The countbit his lips till the blood almost started, to prevent theebullition of anger which his proud and irritable temperscarcely allowed him to restrain; understanding, however,that in the present state of things the laugh woulddecidedly be against him, he turned from the door, towardswhich he had been directing his steps, and again confrontedthe banker. A cloud settled on his brow, evincing decidedanxiety and uneasiness, instead of the expression ofoffended pride which had lately reigned there. "My dearDanglars," said Morcerf, "we have been acquainted for manyyears, and consequently we ought to make some allowance foreach other's failings. You owe me an explanation, and reallyit is but fair that I should know what circumstance hasoccurred to deprive my son of your favor."

"It is from no personal ill-feeling towards the viscount,that is all I can say, sir," replied Danglars, who resumedhis insolent manner as soon as he perceived that Morcerf wasa little softened and calmed down. "And towards whom do youbear this personal ill-feeling, then?" said Morcerf, turningpale with anger. The expression of the count's face had notremained unperceived by the banker; he fixed on him a lookof greater assurance than before, and said: "You may,perhaps, be better satisfied that I should not go fartherinto particulars."

A tremor of suppressed rage shook the whole frame of thecount, and making a violent effort over himself, he said: "Ihave a right to insist on your giving me an explanation. Isit Madame de Morcerf who has displeased you? Is it myfortune which you find insufficient? Is it because myopinions differ from yours?"

"Nothing of the kind, sir," replied Danglars: "if such hadbeen the case, I only should have been to blame, inasmuch asI was aware of all these things when I made the engagement.No, do not seek any longer to discover the reason. I reallyam quite ashamed to have been the cause of your undergoingsuch severe self-examination; let us drop the subject, andadopt the middle course of delay, which implies neither arupture nor an engagement. Ma foi, there is no hurry. Mydaughter is only seventeen years old, and your sontwenty-one. While we wait, time will be progressing, eventswill succeed each other; things which in the evening lookdark and obscure, appear but too clearly in the light ofmorning, and sometimes the utterance of one word, or thelapse of a single day, will reveal the most cruelcalumnies."

"Calumnies, did you say, sir?" cried Morcerf, turning lividwith rage. "Does any one dare to slander me?"

"Monsieur, I told you that I considered it best to avoid allexplanation."

"Then, sir, I am patiently to submit to your refusal?"

"Yes, sir, although I assure you the refusal is as painfulfor me to give as it is for you to receive, for I hadreckoned on the honor of your alliance, and the breaking offof a marriage contract always injures the lady more than thegentleman."

"Enough, sir," said Morcerf, "we will speak no more on thesubject." And clutching his gloves in anger, he left theapartment. Danglars observed that during the wholeconversation Morcerf had never once dared to ask if it wason his own account that Danglars recalled his word. Thatevening he had a long conference with several friends; andM. Cavalcanti, who had remained in the drawing-room with theladies, was the last to leave the banker's house.

The next morning, as soon as he awoke, Danglars asked forthe newspapers; they were brought to him; he laid asidethree or four, and at last fixed on the Impartial, the paperof which Beauchamp was the chief editor. He hastily tore offthe cover, opened the journal with nervous precipitation,passed contemptuously over the Paris jottings, and arrivingat the miscellaneous intelligence, stopped with a malicioussmile, at a paragraph headed "We hear from Yanina." "Verygood," observed Danglars, after having read the paragraph;"here is a little article on Colonel Fernand, which, if I amnot mistaken, would render the explanation which the Comtede Morcerf required of me perfectly unnecessary."

At the same moment, that is, at nine o'clock in the morning,Albert de Morcerf, dressed in a black coat buttoned up tohis chin, might have been seen walking with a quick andagitated step in the direction of Monte Cristo's house inthe Champs Elysees. When he presented himself at the gatethe porter informed him that the Count had gone out abouthalf an hour previously. "Did he take Baptistin with him?"

"No, my lord."

"Call him, then; I wish to speak to him." The concierge wentto seek the valet de chambre, and returned with him in aninstant.

"My good friend," said Albert, "I beg pardon for myintrusion, but I was anxious to know from your own mouth ifyour master was really out or not."

"He is really out, sir," replied Baptistin.

"Out, even to me?"

"I know how happy my master always is to receive thevicomte," said Baptistin; "and I should therefore neverthink of including him in any general order."

"You are right; and now I wish to see him on an affair ofgreat importance. Do you think it will be long before hecomes in?"

"No, I think not, for he ordered his breakfast at teno'clock."

"Well, I will go and take a turn in the Champs Elysees, andat ten o'clock I will return here; meanwhile, if the countshould come in, will you beg him not to go out again withoutseeing me?"

"You may depend on my doing so, sir," said Baptistin.

Albert left the cab in which he had come at the count'sdoor, intending to take a turn on foot. As he was passingthe Allee des Veuves, he thought he saw the count's horsesstanding at Gosset's shooting-gallery; he approached, andsoon recognized the coachman. "Is the count shooting in thegallery?" said Morcerf.

"Yes, sir," replied the coachman. While he was speaking,Albert had heard the report of two or three pistol-shots. Heentered, and on his way met the waiter. "Excuse me, mylord," said the lad; "but will you have the kindness to waita moment?"

"What for, Philip?" asked Albert, who, being a constantvisitor there, did not understand this opposition to hisentrance.

"Because the person who is now in the gallery prefers beingalone, and never practices in the presence of any one."

"Not even before you, Philip? Then who loads his pistol?"

"His servant."

"A Nubian?"

"A negro."

"It is he, then."

"Do you know this gentleman?"

"Yes, and I am come to look for him; he is a friend ofmine."

"Oh, that is quite another thing, then. I will goimmediately and inform him of your arrival." And Philip,urged by his own curiosity, entered the gallery; a secondafterwards, Monte Cristo appeared on the threshold. "I askyour pardon, my dear count," said Albert, "for following youhere, and I must first tell you that it was not the fault ofyour servants that I did so; I alone am to blame for theindiscretion. I went to your house, and they told me youwere out, but that they expected you home at ten o'clock tobreakfast. I was walking about in order to pass away thetime till ten o'clock, when I caught sight of your carriageand horses."

"What you have just said induces me to hope that you intendbreakfasting with me."

"No, thank you, I am thinking of other things besidesbreakfast just now; perhaps we may take that meal at a laterhour and in worse company."

"What on earth are you talking of?"

"I am to fight to-day."

"For what?"

"I am going to fight" -

"Yes, I understand that, but what is the quarrel? Peoplefight for all sorts of reasons, you know."-

"I fight in the cause of honor."

"Ah, that is something serious."

"So serious, that I come to beg you to render me a service."

"What is it?"

"To be my second."

"That is a serious matter, and we will not discuss it here;let us speak of nothing till we get home. Ali, bring me somewater." The count turned up his sleeves, and passed into thelittle vestibule where the gentlemen were accustomed to washtheir hands after shooting. "Come in, my lord," said Philipin a low tone, "and I will show you something droll."Morcerf entered, and in place of the usual target, he sawsome playing-cards fixed against the wall. At a distanceAlbert thought it was a complete suit, for he counted fromthe ace to the ten. "Ah, ha," said Albert, "I see you werepreparing for a game of cards."

"No," said the count, "I was making a suit."

"How?" said Albert.

"Those are really aces and twos which you see, but my shotshave turned them into threes, fives, sevens, eights, nines,and tens." Albert approached. In fact, the bullets hadactually pierced the cards in the exact places which thepainted signs would otherwise have occupied, the lines anddistances being as regularly kept as if they had been ruledwith pencil. "Diable," said Morcerf.

"What would you have, my dear viscount?" said Monte Cristo,wiping his hands on the towel which Ali had brought him; "Imust occupy my leisure moments in some way or other. Butcome, I am waiting for you." Both men entered Monte Cristo'scarriage, which in the course of a few minutes depositedthem safely at No. 30. Monte Cristo took Albert into hisstudy, and pointing to a seat, placed another for himself."Now let us talk the matter over quietly," said the count.

"You see I am perfectly composed," said Albert.

"With whom are you going to fight?"

"With Beauchamp."

"One of your friends!"

"Of course; it is always with friends that one fights."

"I suppose you have some cause of quarrel?"

"I have."

"What has he done to you?"

"There appeared in his journal last night - but wait, andread for yourself." And Albert handed over the paper to thecount, who read as follows: -

"A correspondent at Yanina informs us of a fact of whichuntil now we had remained in ignorance. The castle whichformed the protection of the town was given up to the Turksby a French officer named Fernand, in whom the grand vizier,Ali Tepelini, had reposed the greatest confidence."

"Well," said Monte Cristo, "what do you see in that to annoyyou?"

"What do I see in it?"

"Yes; what does it signify to you if the castle of Yaninawas given up by a French officer?"

"It signifies to my father, the Count of Morcerf, whoseChristian name is Fernand!"

"Did your father serve under Ali Pasha?"

"Yes; that is to say, he fought for the independence of theGreeks, and hence arises the calumny."

"Oh, my dear viscount, do talk reason!"

"I do not desire to do otherwise."

"Now, just tell me who the devil should know in France thatthe officer Fernand and the Count of Morcerf are one and thesame person? and who cares now about Yanina, which was takenas long ago as the year 1822 or 1823?"

"That just shows the meanness of this slander. They haveallowed all this time to elapse, and then all of a suddenrake up events which have been forgotten to furnishmaterials for scandal, in order to tarnish the lustre of ourhigh position. I inherit my father's name, and I do notchoose that the shadow of disgrace should darken it. I amgoing to Beauchamp, in whose journal this paragraph appears,and I shall insist on his retracting the assertion beforetwo witnesses."

"Beauchamp will never retract."

"Then he must fight."

"No he will not, for he will tell you, what is very true,that perhaps there were fifty officers in the Greek armybearing the same name."

"We will fight, nevertheless. I will efface that blot on myfather's character. My father, who was such a brave soldier,whose career was so brilliant" -

"Oh, well, he will add, `We are warranted in believing thatthis Fernand is not the illustrious Count of Morcerf, whoalso bears the same Christian name.'"

"I am determined not to be content with anything short of anentire retractation."

"And you intend to make him do it in the presence of twowitnesses, do you?"

"Yes."

"You do wrong."

"Which means, I suppose, that you refuse the service which Iasked of you?"

"You know my theory regarding duels; I told you my opinionon that subject, if you remember, when we were at Rome."

"Nevertheless, my dear count, I found you this morningengaged in an occupation but little consistent with thenotions you profess to entertain."

"Because, my dear fellow, you understand one must never beeccentric. If one's lot is cast among fools, it is necessaryto study folly. I shall perhaps find myself one day calledout by some harebrained scamp, who has no more real cause ofquarrel with me than you have with Beauchamp; he may take meto task for some foolish trifle or other, he will bring hiswitnesses, or will insult me in some public place, and I amexpected to kill him for all that."

"You admit that you would fight, then? Well, if so, why doyou object to my doing so?"

"I do not say that you ought not to fight, I only say that aduel is a serious thing, and ought not to be undertakenwithout due reflection."

"Did he reflect before he insulted my father?"

"If he spoke hastily, and owns that he did so, you ought tobe satisfied."

"Ah, my dear count, you are far too indulgent."

"And you are far too exacting. Supposing, for instance, anddo not be angry at what I am going to say" -

"Well."

"Supposing the assertion to be really true?"

"A son ought not to submit to such a stain on his father'shonor."

"Ma foi, we live in times when there is much to which wemust submit."

"That is precisely the fault of the age."

"And do you undertake to reform it?"

"Yes, as far as I am personally concerned."

"Well, you the indeed exacting, my dear fellow!"

"Yes, I own it."

"Are you quite impervious to good advice?"

"Not when it comes from a friend."

"And do you account me that title?"

"Certainly I do."

"Well, then, before going to Beauchamp with your witnesses,seek further information on the subject."

"From whom?"

"From Haidee."

"Why, what can be the use of mixing a woman up in theaffair? - what can she do in it?"

"She can declare to you, for example, that your father hadno hand whatever in the defeat and death of the vizier; orif by chance he had, indeed, the misfortune to" -

"I have told you, my dear count, that I would not for onemoment admit of such a proposition."

"You reject this means of information, then?"

"I do - most decidedly."

"Then let me offer one more word of advice."

"Do so, then, but let it be the last."

"You do not wish to hear it, perhaps?"

"On the contrary, I request it."

"Do not take any witnesses with you when you go to Beauchamp- visit him alone."

"That would be contrary to all custom."

"Your case is not an ordinary one."

"And what is your reason for advising me to go alone?"

"Because then the affair will rest between you andBeauchamp."

"Explain yourself."

"I will do so. If Beauchamp be disposed to retract, youought at least to give him the opportunity of doing it ofhis own free will, - the satisfaction to you will be thesame. If, on the contrary, he refuses to do so, it will thenbe quite time enough to admit two strangers into yoursecret."

"They will not be strangers, they will be friends."

"Ah, but the friends of to-day are the enemies of to-morrow;Beauchamp, for instance."

"So you recommend" -

"I recommend you to be prudent."

"Then you advise me to go alone to Beauchamp?"

"I do, and I will tell you why. When you wish to obtain someconcession from a man's self-love, you must avoid even theappearance of wishing to wound it."

"I believe you are right."

"I am glad of it."

"Then I will go alone."

"Go; but you would do better still by not going at all."

"That is impossible."

"Do so, then; it will be a wiser plan than the first whichyou proposed."

"But if, in spite of all my precautions, I am at lastobliged to fight, will you not be my second?"

"My dear viscount," said Monte Cristo gravely, "you musthave seen before to-day that at all times and in all placesI have been at your disposal, but the service which you havejust demanded of me is one which it is out of my power torender you."

"Why?"

"Perhaps you may know at some future period, and in the meantime I request you to excuse my declining to put you inpossession of my reasons."

"Well, I will have Franz and Chateau-Renaud; they will bethe very men for it."

"Do so, then."

"But if I do fight, you will surely not object to giving mea lesson or two in shooting and fencing?"

"That, too, is impossible."

"What a singular being you are! - you will not interfere inanything."

"You are right - that is the principle on which I wish toact."

"We will say no more about it, then. Good-by, count."Morcerf took his hat, and left the room. He found hiscarriage at the door, and doing his utmost to restrain hisanger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who was in hisoffice. It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such asjournalists' offices have always been from time immemorial.The servant announced M. Albert de Morcerf. Beauchamprepeated the name to himself, as though he could scarcelybelieve that he had heard aright, and then gave orders forhim to be admitted. Albert entered. Beauchamp uttered anexclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over andtrample under foot all the newspapers which were strewedabout the room. "This way, this way, my dear Albert!" saidhe, holding out his hand to the young man. "Are you out ofyour senses, or do you come peaceably to take breakfast withme? Try and find a seat - there is one by that geranium,which is the only thing in the room to remind me that thereare other leaves in the world besides leaves of paper."

"Beauchamp," said Albert, "it is of your journal that I cometo speak."

"Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?"

"I desire that a statement contained in it should berectified."

"To what do you refer? But pray sit down."

"Thank you," said Albert, with a cold and formal bow.

"Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of thestatement which has displeased you?"

"An announcement has been made which implicates the honor ofa member of my family."

"What is it?" said Beauchamp, much surprised; "surely youmust be mistaken."

"The story sent you from Yanina."

"Yanina?"

"Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the causewhich brings me here."

"Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor!Baptiste, give me yesterday's paper," cried Beauchamp.

"Here, I have brought mine with me," replied Albert.

Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to whichAlbert pointed in an undertone. "You see it is a seriousannoyance," said Morcerf, when Beauchamp had finished theperusal of the paragraph. "Is the officer referred to arelation of yours, then?" demanded the journalist.

"Yes," said Albert, blushing.

"Well, what do you wish me to do for you?" said Beauchampmildly.

"My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict thisstatement." Beauchamp looked at Albert with a benevolentexpression.

"Come," said he, "this matter will want a good deal oftalking over; a retractation is always a serious thing, youknow. Sit down, and I will read it again." Albert resumedhis seat, and Beauchamp read, with more attention than atfirst, the lines denounced by his friend. "Well," saidAlbert in a determined tone, "you see that your paper hisinsulted a member of my family, and I insist on aretractation being made."

"You insist?"

"Yes, I insist."

"Permit me to remind you that you are not in the Chamber, mydear Viscount."

"Nor do I wish to be there," replied the young man, rising."I repeat that I am determined to have the announcement ofyesterday contradicted. You have known me long enough,"continued Albert, biting his lips convulsively, for he sawthat Beauchamp's anger was beginning to rise, - "you havebeen my friend, and therefore sufficiently intimate with meto be aware that I am likely to maintain my resolution onthis point."

"If I have been your friend, Morcerf, your present manner ofspeaking would almost lead me to forget that I ever borethat title. But wait a moment, do not let us get angry, orat least not yet. You are irritated and vexed - tell me howthis Fernand is related to you?"

"He is merely my father," said Albert - "M. FernandMondego, Count of Morcerf, an old soldier who has fought intwenty battles and whose honorable scars they would denounceas badges of disgrace."

"Is it your father?" said Beauchamp; "that is quite anotherthing. Then can well understand your indignation, my dearAlbert. I will look at it again;" and he read the paragraphfor the third time, laying a stress on each word as heproceeded. "But the paper nowhere identifies this Fernandwith your father."

"No; but the connection will be seen by others, andtherefore I will have the article contradicted." At thewords "I will," Beauchamp steadily raised his eyes toAlbert's countenance, and then as gradually lowering them,he remained thoughtful for a few moments. "You will retractthis assertion, will you not, Beauchamp?" said Albert withincreased though stifled anger.

"Yes," replied Beauchamp.

"Immediately?" said Albert.

"When I am convinced that the statement is false."

"What?"

"The thing is worth looking into, and I will take pains toinvestigate the matter thoroughly."

"But what is there to investigate, sir?" said Albert,enraged beyond measure at Beauchamp's last remark. "If youdo not believe that it is my father, say so immediately; andif, on the contrary, you believe it to be him, state yourreasons for doing so." Beauchamp looked at Albert with thesmile which was so peculiar to him, and which in itsnumerous modifications served to express every variedemotion of his mind. "Sir," replied he, "if you came to mewith the idea of demanding satisfaction, you should havegone at once to the point, and not have entertained me withthe idle conversation to which I have been patientlylistening for the last half hour. Am I to put thisconstruction on your visit?"

"Yes, if you will not consent to retract that infamouscalumny."

"Wait a moment - no threats, if you please, M. FernandMondego, Vicomte de Morcerf; I never allow them from myenemies, and therefore shall not put up with them from myfriends. You insist on my contradicting the article relatingto General Fernand, an article with which, I assure you onmy word of honor, I had nothing whatever to do?"

"Yes, I insist on it," said Albert, whose mind was beginningto get bewildered with the excitement of his feelings.

"And if I refuse to retract, you wish to fight, do you?"said Beauchamp in a calm tone.

"Yes," replied Albert, raising his voice.

"Well," said Beauchamp, "here is my answer, my dear sir. Thearticle was not inserted by me - I was not even aware ofit; but you have, by the step you have taken, called myattention to the paragraph in question, and it will remainuntil it shall be either contradicted or confirmed by someone who has a right to do so."

"Sir," said Albert, rising, "I will do myself the honor ofsending my seconds to you, and you will be kind enough toarrange with them the place of meeting and the weapons."

"Certainly, my dear sir."

"And this evening, if you please, or to-morrow at thelatest, we will meet."

"No, no, I will be on the ground at the proper time; but inmy opinion (and I have a right to dictate the preliminaries,as it is I who have received the provocation) - in myopinion the time ought not to be yet. I know you to be wellskilled in the management of the sword, while I am onlymoderately so; I know, too, that you are a good marksman - there we are about equal. I know that a duel between us twowould be a serious affair, because you are brave, and I ambrave also. I do not therefore wish either to kill you, orto be killed myself without a cause. Now, I am going to puta question to you, and one very much to the purpose too. Doyou insist on this retractation so far as to kill me if I donot make it, although I have repeated more than once, andaffirmed on my honor, that I was ignorant of the thing withwhich you charge me, and although I still declare that it isimpossible for any one but you to recognize the Count ofMorcerf under the name of Fernand?"

"I maintain my original resolution."

"Very well, my dear sir; then I consent to cut throats withyou. But I require three weeks' preparation; at the end ofthat time I shall come and say to you, `The assertion isfalse, and I retract it,' or `The assertion is true,' when Ishall immediately draw the sword from its sheath, or thepistols from the case, whichever you please."

"Three weeks!" cried Albert; "they will pass as slowly asthree centuries when I am all the time suffering dishonor."

"Had you continued to remain on amicable terms with me, Ishould have said, `Patience, my friend;' but you haveconstituted yourself my enemy, therefore I say, `What doesthat signify to me, sir?'"

"Well, let it be three weeks then," said Morcerf; "butremember, at the expiration of that time no delay orsubterfuge will justify you in" -

"M. Albert de Morcerf," said Beauchamp, rising in his turn,"I cannot throw you out of window for three weeks - that isto say, for twenty-four days to come - nor have you anyright to split my skull open till that time has elapsed.To-day is the 29th of August; the 21st of September will,therefore, be the conclusion of the term agreed on, and tillthat time arrives - and it is the advice of a gentlemanwhich I am about to give you - till then we will refrainfrom growling and barking like two dogs chained within sightof each other." When he had concluded his speech, Beauchampbowed coldly to Albert, turned his back upon him, and wentto the press-room.

Albert vented his anger on a pile of newspapers, which hesent flying all over the office by switching them violentlywith his stick; after which ebullition he departed - not,however, without walking several times to the door of thepress-room, as if he had half a mind to enter. While Albertwas lashing the front of his carriage in the same mannerthat he had the newspapers which were the innocent agents ofhis discomfiture, as he was crossing the barrier heperceived Morrel, who was walking with a quick step and abright eye. He was passing the Chinese Baths, and appearedto have come from the direction of the Porte Saint-Martin,and to be going towards the Madeleine. "Ah," said Morcerf,"there goes a happy man!" And it so happened Albert was notmistaken in his opinion.