The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-27
THE PRESS.
Diamond Cut Diamond.


mad served in his armies had not yet lost all
hope of the return of their idol, and conse-
quently had not yet thought it worth while
to settle down into thorough peace and quiet
ness.
Young Paul Ferrand, whom l freouentlv
met at the cafe, and who had served as cap
tain at Waterloo, was sure that the Little
Corporal would come back again soon. "You
have not yet beaten him." he would tell me
laughing. You sent him to Elba, but he
returned; you have sent him to st. Helena,
and he Will return again. We shall see"
Ferrand was an exceedingly nice fellow;
and although he protested to cherish an un-
quenchable hatred for England and every
thing English, he had, by some means or
other, become attached to Alice Rae, Young
English lady of my acquaintance, and who
had been living with her mother since the
conclusion of peace at Paris, not far from the
abode of the ex-captain. And he was ALWAYS
very friendly with me too. He would, it is
true, abuse my countrymen most unmerci-
fully; but he was always particularly good
natured; and whenever he found himself say
ing little too much he would arrest himself
and apologize so heartily that never could
be angry with him. I was alone in the
French capital, and had few friends there ex-
cept Mrs. Rae, her daughter Alice, and Paul;
and so it happened that l passed good deal
of.my time in the society of these three. The
mother, woman still in the prime of life,
and the widow of kings messenger, was a
connection of mine by marriage, and that
gave me good excuse for offering my SER
vices as escort whenever she and her pretty
daughter thought fit to 60 to the theatre or
opera. At such times Paul always had seat
in the stalls, and between the acts he would
come up to my box, to the delight of Alice,
who was in love with him, and to the no
small satisfaction of Mrs. Rae, who herself
had quite maternal affection for the young
Frenchman, and did not in the least discour-
age his attentions to her daughter. If there
was no formal engagement between the two,
it was at lease perfectly understood by ali
parties that as soon as Paul should get an APP
pointment, for which at the time he was a
candidate, he was to marry Alice; and /.
though only few years her senior, was to
give her away.
none night, the opera-house was crowded
more than usual A great singer was to ap.
pear, and new work by renowned COM
poser was to be performed. But Paul Fer
rand, sitting in the stalls, seemed scarcely to
listen to the music or to notice the acting;
and much more often were his eyes turned in
the direction of my box than in that of the
stage. Alice and her mother were with me;
and as the curtain fell at the conclusion of the
first act, Paul came up to US. He was in high
spirits, for he had heard that the minister
he expected to hear In a few days that his
appointment had been signed by the king.
We congratulated him, and as he left us to
return to his seat, l whispered to him:
you'll be happy man in month or two,
Paul." he smiled, and shut the door,
We watched him as he threaded his way to
his place. 1t was in the centre of the second
row from the orchestra, and he had left his
opera-glasses on the chair, In order to pre-
serve his right to it; but during his absence
tall, military-looking man had appropriated
it, and had coolly put the glasses on one side.
Paul approached the stranger with the ut.
most politeness, and suppose, for naturally
could not hear, requested him to move
The interloper did not deign to answer, but
sneeringly looked up to Ferrand, as though
to ask him what he meant by his intrusion.
Paul pointed to the opera-glasses; but the
stranger neither replied nor moved, but con-
tinued to appear as though he did not hear.
saw that matters were assuming danger
Gus complexion, for in the new conner re-
cagnized Victor Laroquiere, an ex-Bonapart-
list officer like Paul, a notorious bully, and
one of the most celebrated duelists in France,
But what could do? I could only sit still
much against my will, and witness the inevi-
table consequences. I thought Alice would
faint when Laroquiere in the calmest way
arose before the crowded assemblage and
struck Paul in the face with his glove; but
she recovered herself, and like a statue
watched her lover pick up bis opera-glasses,
bow to his insulter, and without word leave
the building. There were some EXPLANATIONS
from the audience; but the duellist again rose
and with theatrical air gazed round, mock
ingly initiated Paups parting bow, and re-
sumed his seat. This was too much for poor
Alice. She could not remain longer; she
must go home; and so, with some difficulty,
/ got her and her mother to my carriage,
told the coachman to drive them home, and
myself walked quickly to Paups lodgings.
he had arrived before me, and was already
writing when l entered his room. s'Of
course" he said, as he saw me, and came
towards me with both hands outstretched,
s'you, my dear friend, will assist me. 1t is
impossible to do anythingl but fight. Even
Alice could not make me alter my conviction
upon that point, the insult was so public.'
Suppose you leave the country2" 1 sug-
"Then should have to give up the APP
pointment and Alice too. No, my dear fel-
low, am Frenchman, and I must fight;
and you must arrange matters for me. II he
shoots me, it cannot be helped; if shoot
him, shall have shot the biggest scoundrel
in Paris. / beg you to call upon Laroquiere
tonight, have already discovered his ad.
dress. Here it ISL
'tBut must you really fghtp" 1t is suicide
W uSut WILL d pTOl6SSlOual Qu6lllSL.
"Ah," he said, shaking his head, 81 am
afraid it is suicide; but 1 must fight; SO
please don't try and persuade me that need
not. And II will fight, too as soon as posi-
BILE. You can arrange everything for to-
morrow morning. I must have the matter
over. In day or two might be coward"
By his looks he implored me to go to La
roquiere; and constituted as French society
was at that time, ] had no other course
IN fhon 70 do ha
'If Monsieur come from M. Paul Ferrand,"
said a man-servant when inquired whether
could Isee his master, 'M. Laroquiere has
not yet left the opera. He has, however,
sent this pencled note, which am to give
to the gentleman who comes from M. Fer
tore open the missive. 1t contained two
cards, one bearing the name of the duellist.
and the second that of M. Fernand Delaraie,
Rue tVivienneS18. Certainly it was an off
hand way of acquainting me with the name
and whereabouts of IIaroquere's second:
but as wished to pick no quarrel, walked
on to the Rue Vivienne, and in few min
utes was ushered into the presence of M.
Delararie himself This worthy was young
man, aged about three and twenty, and
dressed in the very extreme of fas hion. His
ruf1es were immaculate, and most symmet-
rically arranged; his lace handkerchief was
stepped in essences; his gloves, which lay
upon the table-for he had only just returned
at Laroquiere's request, from the opera-were
small and delicate; his fingers were covered
with valuable rings; and the bunch of gold
seals depending from his fob was unusually
heavy and brilliant. He did not strike me
as appearing particularly warLke; but never
theless, after formally saluting me, he at
once touched ppou the object of my visit;
anu bUf0re I had been ten minutes in his
company, mad arranged to meet Ferrand and
myself at certain spot, dear to duellists of
the time, at an early hour next morning, and
to bring Laroquiere with him.
" don't think we shall need surgeon"
ne said to me quite affably at parting; but if
you please, you can bring one. In his last
affair my principal shot his man through the
temples. | sincerely Ihope, Monsieur, that
your friend is as clever"
m"Confound the fellowp' said to myself
as left the house and sought the residence
of my own medical man. 81 am afraid poor
Ferrand is not such consummate murderer
as Laroquiere.
After seeing the surgeon, to whom briefly
explained matters, called upon Mrs Rae