_Clarkson_--And now, madam, do you know why M. de Septmonts wishes to have an interview with me? _Catherine_--Yes, I can guess. It concerns me, perhaps; but I have no right to discuss the matter. It is something which belongs to the Duke, and he alone has the right to impart it to you. All I can do is to beg of you to have all details thoroughly explained to you, and to look into them very carefully. _A_ Servant _enters_ _Servant_--M. le Duc has come in; he will be glad to have Mr. Clarkson come to him. _Clarkson_--Very good. [_Going_.] I bid you good evening, madam. _Catherine_ [_to the servant_]--Wait a moment. [_Going to Clarkson and speaking in a low voice._] Suppose I were to ask you a very great service. _Clarkson_--Ask it, madam. _Catherine_--Suppose I were to ask you to say to my husband that you are waiting for him here in this drawing-room--that you will be glad to speak with him _here_. _Clarkson_--Nothing but that? With great pleasure. [_To the servant._] Say to M. de Septmonts that I shall be obliged if he will join me--here. [_Servant goes out._] _Catherine_--I shall leave you; for if I know what is going to be discussed in this interview, I neither could nor should take part in it; but whatever may come of it, I shall never forget that you have done everything that you could do as a courtesy to me,--and that you are a gentleman. [_Exit Catherine._] _Clarkson_ [_alone_]--Charming! She is charming, that little woman; but may I be hanged if I understand one word of what is going on here. The Duke of Septmonts _comes in hastily, and advances to_ Clarkson. _Septmonts_--I have just come from your house, Mr. Clarkson. Mrs. Clarkson told me you were here. I returned at once. Pardon me for troubling you. If when I came in I asked you to come to my own drawing-room, and have thus troubled you once more, it is because I was told you were expecting me here, with the duchess. This is her private parlor; and as what we have to say is a matter for men-- _Clarkson_--Therefore the duchess went to her own room when your return here was announced. _Septmonts_--Mr. Clarkson, did _she_ tell the servant that you would prefer to hold our conversation here? _Clarkson_--No, I told him. [_Septmonts goes to the door of the room by which Catherine went out, and closes the portière._] _Clarkson_ [_in a scornful aside_]--What an amount of mystery and precaution! _Septmonts_--The matter is this, Mr. Clarkson. I must fight a duel to-morrow morning. This duel can terminate only in the death of one or other of the contestants. I am the insulted one, therefore I have the choice of weapons. I choose the sword. _Clarkson_--Do you fence well?