The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-11-07

had coolly put the glasses on one side.
Paul approached the stranger with the
utmost politeness, and, I supr q. for
naturally 1 could not hear, IesJed
him to move. The interloper did not
deign to answer, but sneeringly looked
up at 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
continued to appear as though he did
not hear. 1 saw that matters were as
suming dangerous complexion, for in
the newcomer L recognized Victor
Laroquiere, an ex-Bonapartist officer
like Paul, notorious bully, and one of
the most celebrated duellists in France.
But what could do could only sit
still, much against my will, and witness
the inevitable consequences. l thought
Alice would faint when Laroquiere in
the calmest way rose before the crowded
assemblage and struck Paul in the face
with his glove but she recovered her
self, and like statue watched her lover
pick up his opera-glasses, bow to his in
sulter, and, without a word, leave the
building. There were some exclama-
tions from the audience but the duel
list again rose, and with theatrical air
gazed round, mockingly initiating Paul's
parting bow, and resumed his seat. This
was too much for poor Alice. She could
not remain any longer; she must go
home and so, with some difficulty, l
got her and her mother in my carriage,
told the coachman to drive them home,
and myself walked quickly to Paul's
odgings.
He had arrived before me, and was al
ready writing when / entered his room.
OF course" he said, as he saw me, and
came towards me with both hands out
stretched, "you, my dear friend, will
assist me. it is impossible to do any.
thing but fight. Even Alice could not
make me alter my convection upon that
point, the insult was so public"
"Suppose you leave the country" 1
suggested.
"Then l should have to give up the
appointment, aud Alice, too. No, my
dear fellow, 1 am Frenchman, and ]
must fight If he shoots me, it cannot
be helped; if 1 shoot him, shall have
shot the greatest scoundrel in Paris.
beg you to call upon Laroquiere to-
night. / have already discovered his ad-
dress. Here it is"
:" But must you really fight 1t is
suicide to fight with professional duel
ist."
"Ah, he said, shaking his head,
am afraid it is suicide; but must fight
SO please don't try and persuade me thai
need not. And will fight, too, al
soon as possible. You can arrange
everything for tomorrow morning.
must have the matter over. In day ol
two might be coward"
By his looks he inplored me to go tC
Laroquiere, and, constituted as Frencl
society was at that time, had no Other
course open to me, than to do as he
wished.
+" Ii Monsieur comes from M. Pau
Ferrand," said man-servant when
inquired whether Icould see his master
SM. Laroquiere has sent to say that III
has not yet left the opera. He has, how
: ever, sent this penciled note, which an
, to give to the gentleman who comes from
| M. Ferrand."
, tore open the missive. 1t contained
, two cards, one bearing the name of tn,
/ duelist, and the second that of NJ. Fer
I nand Delaraie, Rue Vivienne IS. Ger
tainly it was an of-hand way of .ac
: quainting me with the name and where
2 abouts of Laroquiere's second, but as
3 wished to pick no quarrel, walked ol
3 to the Rue Vivienne, and in few min
l utes was ushered into the presence o
l NJ. Delaraie himself This worthy wa
Q a young man, aged about three-and
Y twenty, and dressed in tue very extrem
s of fashion. His ruffles were immacu
late, and most symmetrically arranged
: his face handkerchief was stepped i
8 essences; his gloves, which lay on tn
+ table-for he had only just returned, g
Laroquiere's request, from the opera
) we're small and delicate; his fingers wer
r covered with valuable rings, and til
e bunch of gold seals depending from hi
: fob was unusually heavy and brillian
}. He did not strike me as appearing pa
d ticularly warlike; but, nevertheless, aftt
# formally saluting me, he at once touche
e upon the object of my visit, and befol
d had been ten minutes in his compan
n had arranged to meet Ferrand and m,
o self at a certain spot, dear to duelists
1t the time, and to bring LarOquiere wit
l. him.
n 81 don't think We shall need a su
II geon," he said to me quite affably