The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
A FIN DE Steele DUEL.
Details of How French GentIemcn
Prepare For Deadly Combat.

Details of How French GentIemcu
Prepare For Deadly Combat.
Paris Telegram London Daily News.
Apropos of the duel between NJ Henri
de Regnier and Count Robert de Montes-
quoiu. which took place this afternoon.
it may be remarked that the privacy Of
duels-a very strict rule of etiquette until
some years ago-has become wonderfully
relaxed. In on. Rochefort's dueling days
people went to the Belgian frontier, in orr
der to escape the police. In later years.
when affairs of honor were settled In a
friends garden around Paris, the process
verbal still mentioned the Belgian from
tier as the place of meeting. Now there
is no longer any pretense. Duels are now
fought on a race course or a tow path
along the Seine A ring of spectators is
present-friends of both parties-and pro-
ceedtngs are reported as fully as a debate
in the chamber. M. Henri de Regnier, who
is the sympathetic figure of to-day's per-
Torrance, because he is the challenged
party, and because he fights as a sub
stitute for a lady, behaved throughout
with a GOODNESS which was all the mora
meritorious, as he took his first lesson in
fencing an hour after receiving Count de
Montesquiou's challenge, and at 1890 this
morning M. Baudry, the fencing master,
came to give him his third lesson Coach
ing in view of duel is quite usual thing.
The teacher does not attempt to inculcats
general principles, but merely teaches his
pupils few thrusts and parties, and
trusts to luck for the rest. M. de Regnier.
as will appear presently, turned out very
promising pupil.
NJ. de Regnier. who had given no in
struction to his servant about calling him,
got up at his usual time-half past g. He
then went, accompanied by his cousin and
a friend, to his first second, NJ. Jean Be
raud, the painter, and then to his father
in-law, NJ. de Heredia, whose daughter is
the cause of the duel He then returned to
his house in the Rue Boccador The news
of the duel had spread in the neighbor-
hood, and a crowd was standing in front
of his door. At l o'clock an open carriage
came to drive him and his seconds to the
field of battle NJ. de Regnier appeared in
light gray suit, wearing a silk hat. He
and his seconds drove up the Champs
Elysees, picking up on the way DIR. d Es-
payne. Count Robert de Montesquiou was
busy the whole morning sorting manu-
scripts which he locked up In boxes and
sent to his secretary for safe custody. The
count shortly after y drove to Ledoyen's
restaurant In the Champs Elysees, his
man servant having placed in the carriage
baize. He was accompanied by Senior de
la Grandara, the Spanish painter, and his
secretary, who all partook of a very light
luncheon, with weak tea. Wine may give
Dutch courage, but Il unsteadles the hand.
The carriages met at the bridge OF Neu-
lily where the seconds OF the two parties
alighted
At length a cosy spot was found along
the towpath. Count de Montesquiou. who
was the first TO alight, looked nervous,
while NJ. de Regnier appeared to have
entire self-command. Although the place
OF the encounter had been kept secret. a
number Of friends were upon the scene.
Among them were M.Georges hugo. Caran
d'Ach, Signor Boldini (whoso portrait OF
Count de Montesquiou is the remote cause
OF the trouble), and other artists. Lots
were drawn for positions. NJ de Regnier
was the least favored. as he had the light
In his eyes. The two principals then took
on their Jackets and waistcoats and put
on gloves.
Count de Dion having crossed swords.
uttered the signal: "Aiiez, Messieurs"
M. Henri de Regnier attacked vigorously,
his adversary parrying IN good form. but
SIN little nervousiy. This pass lasted
two minutes, when a few minutes breath
ing time were given In the second pass
both adversaries warmed up. stamping
the ground. while their swords rustled VIC
iously. Count de Dion, who Is an expert
swordsman. stood with his cane at arms
length OF the combatants ready TO stop
the fight the instant there was a result,
In the third pass ~ de Regnier's sword
slipped along the blade Of bis adversary
and the latter, In attempting 10 parry eA-
posed his hand. The sword entered be.
tween the thumb and index. The duel
was stopped and Or. Pozzi dressed tno
wound. while the onlookcrs rushed 70
shake hands with their respective frienas.
Count de Montesquiou was very pale. tn'
wound having blcd profusely. while n vs
Regnier seemed happy TO have come on
so well. The adversaries that were 80 no
longer shook hands. IL was noticed tnts
just at this moment a rainbow appcareN
In the sky.