"Oh! yes, I know him! And if I could fight with him too, it would be an additional gratification." "Why, what has he done to you?" "Nothing to me. But I told you, did I not, that Mignonne was vilely insulted and then abandoned by her seducer? Well, it was that dastard, that low-lived scoundrel, that Fouvenard, in short, who was with Saint-Bergame at the Opéra this evening." "Go, my friend, and carry the note to Balloquet; make sure of him, and I will answer for the other second. Then go home and rest. Until to-morrow!" "You will come to my rooms to learn the result of the duel?" "Yes, you will see me. Until to-morrow!" I pressed her to my heart. I was proud of her courage. She continued to smile as she looked after me. I found Balloquet's abode, not without difficulty, gave my letter to the concierge, and went home to bed. She loved me! I was so happy, that I had not a thought to spare for my duel. XLIX A DOUBLE DUEL I woke early. It seemed to me that the events of the preceding night were a dream. But, no--she loved me, she was mine, and I was to fight a duel! At half-past eight, Balloquet arrived, all out of breath. "What's up, my dear Rochebrune?" he cried. "You wrote me not to fail you, to drop everything--and here I am! Is there a duel on the carpet, by any chance?" "Just that! I have a duel on hand for this morning, at ten o'clock, at Porte Maillot. I tell you beforehand, my dear Balloquet, that the affair cannot be adjusted; I struck my opponent at the Opéra last night." "The devil! it's a serious business, then. What caused the quarrel?" "It is about a lady, my friend." "A lady! I understand! that is to say, it's for her lovely eyes." "If I should tell you her name, I'll be bound that you also would fight for her." "Oho! do I know her, pray?" "Madame Dauberny." "Madame Dauberny! _Fichtre!_ But, tell me, are you in love with her now?" "I have always been, my dear Balloquet; but I dared not confess it to myself, or tell her, for fear I should be repulsed." "Like me! But it would seem that you haven't been repulsed. I was in love with her for a moment, after a good dinner. She sent me about my business, and I haven't given her a thought for a long time. But I am none the less enchanted that you have chosen me for your second. She's a charming woman, and, although she didn't listen to my nonsense, 'pon my honor! I'd be very glad to fight for her." "Give me your hand, Balloquet. I expected nothing less from you." "What is the weapon?" "The sword." "Have you one?" "Yes; here it is." "Are there to be only we two?" "I am expecting my other second." "Who is he?" "Frédérique has undertaken to send him to me. I fancy that it will be a certain Prussian baron, an excellent and honorable man."