"Loth to arouse me untimeously at Epinal, my kind friend had arisen, and softly descended the wooden stair, saddled his horse, and left the auberge by dawn. He departed from Epinal at a canter, and in the overflowing happiness of his heart was singing merrily, when at a solitary part of the road, he heard the hoofs of a galloping none, and a voice impetuously calling upon him to stop. Believing this follower was I, who had discovered his secret and hasty departure, he turned to find himself confronted by a tall stranger, whose face was concealed by a black velvet mask, and whom he believed to be a brigand or assassin. "'Monsieur,' said the strange horseman, in a voice which, by its varying tones, was too evidently disguised as his face, 'you are abroad betimes.' "'As you also are,' replied Louis; 'but was it you, monsieur, who called upon me to stop?' "'It was.' "'For what purpose?' "'That you shall shortly see.' "'Shortly--nay, as soon as you please, for I am in haste.' "'Indeed!' said the other scornfully and slowly. "'What is your wish, sir?' "Simply, that you measure swords with me in this meadow.' "'Why?' asked Louis, with astonishment. "'I intended to have pistolled you through the back, _sans cérémonie_, at first; but my heart relented; thus, I mean to afford you a chance of saving your miserable life--though I must have your purse and valuables.' "'You are, then, a robber." "'If one whose funds are down to zero, and who is desperate, be a robber, then I am one,' replied the mask, still in his feigned voice. "'I am no poltroon, yet I will gladly save your soul the commission of a double crime,' said poor D'Herblay, who was the very mirror of generosity; 'here is my purse, good fellow--pray accept it and be gone, for I have no time to trifle with you.' The unknown coolly put the purse in his pocket and drew his sword, saying, with an ironical laugh-- "'I thank you, though I would have had it, at all events; but still,' he added, grinding his teeth, 'you must fight with me!' "'Leave me until to-morrow,' said Louis; 'there is one awaiting me at Remiremont--one expecting me to-day--whom I would not disappoint--a lady who loves me, monsieur.' "The stranger laughed scornfully. "'Let me see her but once again, and I shall meet you with joy.' "The stranger laughed louder, and said bitterly-- "'Why not meet me now?' "'I know not,' urged poor D'Herblay, who was anxious to ride on; 'but your presence chills my heart--I have a dark and solemn presentiment.' "For a third time the other laughed ferociously, while his eyes sparkled through the holes in his mask, and he menaced D'Herblay with his sword, saying-- "'Fight--fight!' "'To-morrow--I tell you, to-morrow.' "'Never--be it now or never!' "'I am too full of happiness to fight.' "'Happiness!' "'She whom I love--she whom I am to wed, expects me at Remiremont.' "'She whom you love, and whom you hope to wed, shall never see you, but as a breathless corpse, fool!'