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“That name was Emily.

“I was to recognize her by a bouquet of violets.

“I told you then that I ought not to have gone to the ball; but I now repeat
to you that I was impelled by fate!

“I went. I found my domino at the time and place designated. She confirmed
all that I had already heard; that is, that Château-Renaud was Emily’s lover;
and as I doubted, or affected to doubt it, she told me as a proof of its truth,
that M. de Château-Renaud had made a bet that he would bring his new mistress to
Dujarrier’s to supper.

“Fate had ordained that you should be acquainted with M. D—, that you were
invited to that supper, that you had permission to bring a friend along, that
you should have solicited me to accompany you there, and lastly, that I should
go.

“You know the rest.

“Now, what else can I do than to wait and accept the propositions which are
going to be made to me?”

As there was no objection possible to this, I merely bowed my head.

“But,” replied I, after a moment, with a faltering of fear, “I believe I
recollect—I hope I am mistaken—that your brother told me you had never touched
either a pistol or a sword?”

“That’s true.”

“But then you are at the mercy of your adversary?”

“How can I help it? God will watch over it!”

At this moment the servant announced the Baron Giordano-Martelli.

He was, like Louis de Franchi, a young Corsican of the province of Sartene,
and served in the 17th regiment. Two or three actions had procured him the rank
of captain, at the age of twenty-three years. He was of course in citizen’s
dress.

“Well,” said he, to Louis, after having saluted me, “the matter has now
arrived at the point where it must unavoidably have come; and after what you
have written me, I have no doubt that you will receive a visit during the day
from the seconds of Monsieur de Château-Renaud.”

“I have had it already,” said Louis.

“Those gentlemen have left their names and residences?”

“Here are their cards.”

“Well! Your valet has told me that breakfast is ready; so let us sit down,
and after that we will return the visit of these gentlemen.”

We passed into the dining room, and the circumstance which had brought us
together was not spoken of again.

It was then that Louis questioned me about my journey to Corsica, and here
only that I found an opportunity of relating to him what the reader already
knows.

In this hour, while the young man’s mind was calmed by the idea of fighting
with M. de Château-Renaud the following day, all the feelings of home and
country came back upon his heart. He made me repeat twenty times what his mother
and brother had told me to tell him. He was particularly affected—knowing the
true Corsican manners of Lucien—by the care which he had taken in pacifying the
quarrel of the Orlandini and Colonna.

It struck twelve o’clock.

“I believe—without hurrying you, my friends—that it is time to return the
visit of these gentlemen. Waiting longer might lead them to accuse us of
neglect.”

“Oh! make yourself easy on that point,” said I, “they left here only two
hours ago, and they must allow you the necessary time to send for us.”

“Never mind,” said the Baron Giordano, “Louis is right.”

“Now,” said I to Louis, “it is necessary for us to know which you prefer,
sword or pistol?”

“Oh! sir—I have already told you that it is entirely indifferent to me, as I
am as unfamiliar with one as the other. Besides, Mons. de Château-Renaud will
spare me the embarrassment of the choice. He will, no doubt, consider himself as
the offended party, and as such has the right of choosing what weapon he likes
best.”

“But, notwithstanding, the offence is a matter of discussion. You have done
nothing else than to offer the arm which was asked for.”

“Listen to me,” said Louis; “every discussion, in my opinion, would look like
a desire to make an arrangement. I am naturally very peaceable, you know it; I
am far from being a duelist, for this is my first affair; but just for these
various reasons I wish to play gallantly.”