The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-04-07

81 am satisfied of that, he replied with
smile; "but | am particularly anxious
for swords, if at all possible"
After the expression of so formal a wish
we could but esteem ourselves fortunate
in obtaining the choice of. that arm, and
the meeting was settled for the next morn
ing at nine o'clock. l
During the remainder of the day, NJ.
George manifested an ease of mind, and
even at intervals certain gayety, at which
we were quite surprised, and which Mad
anne de Malouet in particular, was at loss
to understand. My poor wife, of course,
had been left in ignorance of these recent
events. t
At ten O'Clock he retired, and could
still see light through his window two
hours later. Impelled by my earnest af-
fiction and know not what vague ankles
ty that was haunting me, entered his
room at about midnight;I found him very
calm; he had been wr1ihg and was just
sealingup a few envelopes.
"Therei' he said, handing me the pa
pers. "Now the worst is over. and am
going to sleep the sleep of the just"
/ thought IL best to offer him a few
more technical suggestions on the hand
ling of the weapon he was soon to use
He listened to me without much attention,
and suddenly extending his arm:
"Feel NV pulse" he said.
did so, and ascertainel that his calm
and his cheerfulness were neither affected
nor feverish.
''In such a condition" he added, ''if a
man is killed it is because he is willing to
be. Goodnight, my dear sirf' Where
upon left him.
Yesterday morning, at halfpast eight,
we repaired, NJ. George, NJ de Breuily
and myself, to an unfrequented path sit
and Malouet, and which had been selected
for the battle-ground. Our adversary ar
rived almost Immediately after accompa-
MED by Messieurs de Quiroy and Ashley.
The nature of the insult admitted OF no at
tempt at Cancellation. We had therefore
to proceed at once to the fight.
Scarce had NJ. George placed himselfin
position, when we became convinced of
his complete inexperience in the use of the
sword. NJ. de Breuilly cast upon me a
look of stupor. However, after the blades
had been crossed, there was a semblance
of fight and of defe nee; but at the third
pass NJ. George fell pierced through the
chest
| threw myself upon him; he was al
ready in the grasp of death Neverthe-
less he pressed my hand feebly, smiled
once more. and then gave vent, with his
last breath, to his last thought, which was
for you, sir:
''rell Paul that / love him, that for
bid him seeking to avenge me, and that
ie......happy." He expired.
] shall not attempt, sir, to add anything
to this narrative. 1t has already been too
long and too painful to me; but deemed
this faithful and minute account due to
you. l had rea o. to believe, besides
that your friendship would like to follow
to the last instant that existence which
was SO justly dear to you. Now you
know all you have understood all, even
what have left unsaid
He lies in peace by her side. You will
doubtless come, dear sir. We expect you.
We shall mingle our tears over those two
beloved beings, both kind and charming,
both crushed by passion and seized by
death with relentless rapidity in the midst
of the pleasantest scenes Of life.
THE END.