“He was meditatively walking amid a grove of trees when he happened to see the lady bestow a kiss upon a gentleman, no unusual occurrence at a masquerade, but this affair began to assume a serious aspect when there stepped forth into the moonlight a figure whom Panine recognised to be that of the Emperor. At sight of him the lady instantly fled as if in fear, leaving the Emperor and the man together. “An animated conversation followed, inaudible to Panine, who, out of respect, kept his distance, nor did he venture forward till the man had left the Czar’s presence. “‘Count,’ began Alexander—I repeat Panine’s words to me as nearly as I can remember them—‘Count, you know that in the abstract I am opposed to duelling; but occasionally it may happen that a gentleman has no other way of defending his honour. Now there is a certain man who wishes to fight a duel to-morrow. As his cause is just, will you do him the favour of acting as his second?’ “Panine, naturally concluding that the Czar’s recent interlocutor was the man referred to, made reply:— “‘Your Majesty’s command is my pleasure.’ “‘You promise to be this man’s second?’ “‘Most certainly, Sire.’ “‘Look to it, then, that you keep your word,’ said Alexander with a face sterner than Panine had ever before seen it, ‘for _I_ am the duellist. Honour leaves me no alternative but to fight. Stop! no words, I pray you. I know beforehand what you would say; that, if any one offends me, it is within my power to banish, to imprison, to execute the offender. Granted: but that were an ignoble vengeance. None hereafter shall say that Alexander took advantage of his position in order to slay a rival. The man must die, and his death shall come by my hand in fair and open fight. I waive my imperial prerogative, and meet him as one gentleman, when affronted, should meet another. My opponent’s name?—let it remain a secret. The rendezvous? Well, that you’ll learn when we set out. Be at the palace at seven this morning ready to attend me. And, as you value your life, not a word of this to any one.’ And with that the Emperor strode away.” “Did Panine tell his tale to any besides you?” “When I left him he was in doubt whether or not to communicate it to his fellow ministers.” “And he doesn’t know who the Czar’s opponent is?” “Hasn’t the least notion. The man was masked, you see.” “But his costume should serve to identify him.” “It would, if Panine could remember what the fellow wore. I should very much like to know the name of the man. To cut the Czar out in love, and then to stand up to him in a duel! Gad! the fellow must have the audacity of the devil!” “Audacity, my dear uncle, was always the mark of a Courtenay.” For a moment the Ambassador stared blankly at Wilfrid; then the truth burst upon him. “Good God!” he gasped! “You don’t mean that—that——!” “The Czar’s opponent is distant from you by no more than the length of a table.”