&ldquo;What is it you want with me?&rdquo; he asked, with astonishing indifference. Lieut. D&rsquo;Hubert could not imagine that in the innocence of his heart and simplicity of his conscience Lieut. Feraud took a view of his duel in which neither remorse nor yet a rational apprehension of consequences had any place. Though he had no clear recollection how the quarrel had originated (it was begun in an establishment where beer and wine are drunk late at night), he had not the slightest doubt of being himself the outraged party. He had had two experienced friends for his seconds. Everything had been done according to the rules governing that sort of adventures. And a duel is obviously fought for the purpose of someone being at least hurt, if not killed outright. The civilian got hurt. That also was in order. Lieut. Feraud was perfectly tranquil; but Lieut. D&rsquo;Hubert took it for affectation, and spoke with a certain vivacity. </p> <p> &ldquo;I am directed by the general to give you the order to go at once to your quarters, and remain there under close arrest.&rdquo; </p> <p> It was now the turn of Lieut. Feraud to be astonished. &ldquo;What the devil are you telling me there?&rdquo; he murmured, faintly, and fell into such profound wonder that he could only follow mechanically the motions of Lieut. D&rsquo;Hubert. The two officers, one tall, with an interesting face and a moustache the colour of ripe corn, the other, short and sturdy, with a hooked nose and a thick crop of black curly hair, approached the mistress of the house to take their leave. Madame de Lionne, a woman of eclectic taste, smiled upon these armed young men with impartial sensibility and an equal share of interest. Madame de Lionne took her delight in the infinite variety of the human species. All the other eyes in the drawing-room followed the departing officers; and when they had gone out one or two men, who had already heard of the duel, imparted the information to the sylph-like ladies, who received it with faint shrieks of humane concern. </p> <p> Meantime, the two hussars walked side by side, Lieut. Feraud trying to master the hidden reason of things which in this instance eluded the grasp of his intellect, Lieut. D&rsquo;Hubert feeling annoyed at the part he had to play, because the general&rsquo;s instructions were that he should see personally that Lieut. Feraud carried out his orders to the letter, and at once. </p> <p> &ldquo;The chief seems to know this animal,&rdquo; he thought, eyeing his companion, whose round face, the round eyes, and even the twisted-up jet black little moustache seemed animated by a mental exasperation against the incomprehensible.