one of the other, with the most comical rivalry, of the least occurrence at the ‘Cercle des Champs-Elysees’ or of the Rue Royale in the Eternal City, they affected, in the presence of their colleagues of la chasse, the impassive manner of augurs when the telegraph brought them the news of some Parisian scandal.  That inoffensive mania which had made of stout, ruddy Cibo, and of thin, pale Pietrapertoso two delightful studies for Dorsenne during his Roman winter, made of them terrible proxies in the service of Gorka’s vengeance.

With what joy and what gravity they accepted that mission all those who have studied swordsmen will understand after this simple sketch, and with what promptness they presented themselves to confer at nine o’clock in the morning with their client’s adversary!  In short, at half-past twelve the duel was arranged in its slightest detail.  The energy employed by Montfanon had only ended in somewhat tempering the conditions—­four balls to be exchanged at twenty-five paces at the word of command.  The duel was fixed for the following morning, in the inclosure which Cibo owned, with an inn adjoining, not very far distant from the classical tomb of Cecilia Metella.  To obtain that distance and the use of new weapons it required the prestige with which the Marquis suddenly clothed himself in the eyes of Gorka’s seconds by pronouncing the name, still legendary in the provinces and to the foreigner, of Gramont-Caderousse—­’Sic transit gloria mundi’!  On leaving that rendezvous the excellent man really had tears in his eyes.

“It is my fault,” he moaned, “it is my fault.  With that Hafner we should have obtained such a fine official plan by mixing in a little of ours.  He offered it to us himself....  Brave Chapron!  It is I who have brought him into this dilemma!....  I owe it to him not to abandon him, but to follow him to the end....  Here I shall be assisting at a duel, at my age!....  Did you see how those young snobs lowered their voices when I mentioned my encounter with poor Caderousse?....  Fifty-two years and a month, and not to know yet how to conduct one’s self!  Let us go to the Rue Leopardi.  I wish to ask pardon of our client, and to give him some advice.  We will take him to one of my old friends who has a garden near the Villa Pamphili, very secluded.  We will spend the rest of the afternoon practising....  Ah!  Accursed choler!  Yes, it would have been so simple to accept the other’s plan yesterday.  By the exchange of two or three words, I am sure it could have been arranged.”

“Console yourself, Marquis,” replied Florent, when the unhappy nobleman had described to him the deplorable result of his negotiations.  “I like that better.  Monsieur Gorka needs correction.  I have only one regret, that of not having given it to him more thoroughly....  Since I shall have to fight a duel, I would at least have had my money’s worth!”

“And you have never used a pistol?” asked Montfanon.