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At each respiration of the dying sufferer, the blood gushed out of the two
wounds.

It was evident that the shot was fatal.

“Monsieur de Franchi,” said the Viscount de Châteaugrand, “I assure you we
are all of us exceedingly sorry for the result of this unfortunate affair” and
me hope you have no hatred against M. de Château-Renaud.”

“Yes, yes,” murmured the wounded man, “yes, I pardon him—but make him
go—make him go.” Then turning towards me,

“Remember your promise,” said he.

“Oh! I swear to you, that all shall be done as you have desired.”

“And now,” said he smiling, “look at the watch.”

And he fell back, uttering a sigh!

It was his last.

I looked at the watch, it was just ten minutes past nine.

I then cast my eyes upon Louis de Franchi: he was dead.

We took the body home with us, and while the Baron de Giordano went to make
the necessary notification to the commissary of police of the quarter, with the
assistance of Joseph I carried it up into his room.

The poor fellow wept scalding tears. When I entered the room, my eyes
involuntarily were turned towards the pendule. It pointed at ten minutes after
nine.

No doubt he had forgotten to wind it up, and it had stopped just at this
time.

A moment after, Baron Giordano entered accompanied by the officers of
justice, who, informed by him, came to put their seals on his effects.

Giordano spoke of sending letters of information to the friends and
acquaintances of the deceased.

But I requested him first to read the letter, which Louis de Franchi had
given him before we started.

The letter contained a solemn charge to conceal from his brother the cause of
his death. Moreover, in order that no one should be admitted into the secret, he
requested Giordano to arrange the funeral himself, as privately as possible.

Baron Giordano charged himself with all these details; and I went immediately
to make a double visit to M. de Boissy and M. de Châteaugrand, to beg them to be
silent on this unfortunate affair, and to request Mons. de Château-Renaud to
leave Paris, at least for a short time, but without telling him for what reason
his absence was solicited.

They both promised to assist as much as lay in their power, in the
accomplishment of my wishes: and while they were on their way to see Mons. de
Château-Renaud on the subject, I went to the post-office to dispatch the letter
which informed Madame de Franchi, that her son had died of a brain fever.

CHAPTER X

Contrary to the usual custom with these affairs, the duel made but little
noise. The papers even, those loud and false trumpets of publicity, kept silent.
A few intimate friends only followed the corpse of the unfortunate young man to
Père-Lachaise.

As to Monsieur de Château-Renaud, notwithstanding all the requests made to
him, he refused to leave Paris.

For some time I indulged in the idea of following Louis’ letters to his
family with one from myself; for, although his object was excellent, this
untruth on the occasion of the death of a son and brother was exceedingly
repugnant to me. I was convinced that Louis himself had for a long time
struggled against it, and that finally he had considered the important reasons
which he had given me, necessary to decide him.

I therefore concluded, at the risk even of being accused of indifference and
ingratitude, to keep silent on the subject; and I was convinced that Baron
Giordano would do the same.

Five days after this occurrence, at about eleven o’clock in the evening, I
was sitting at my table writing, near the chimney, alone and in low spirits,
when my servant came in, shut the door carefully behind him, and in a very
agitated voice told me that Monsieur de Franchi wished to see me.

I turned round and looked at him; he was extremely pale.

“What do you say, Victor?” asked I.

“Yes, indeed, sir,” replied he, “I don’t understand it myself.”

“Of which Monsieur de Franchi do you speak?”

“But of your friend, sir; of the one whom I have seen once or twice coming
here to see you.”