When supper was over and the cloth removed, Francis Tredegar turned to his principal and said: “Now you will wish to feel well and strong to-morrow morning. You have lost a great deal of rest lately, and will require all the sleep that you can get to restore you. So you had better go to bed at once, and lie there till I call you. I will be sure to call you two hours before the time that shall be fixed for the meeting.” “And you, Francis? Will you not take some rest?” “No, it is not so necessary for me. I must meet Zollenhoffar by appointment to settle the last—the final arrangements—such as could not possibly be settled before our arrival here.” “Well, you will call me in time?” “Certainly.” Alexander retired to his chamber, and Francis Tredegar went out to keep his appointment on what might be called neutral ground—in a room, namely, far removed from the quarters of the principal belligerents, and which the seconds had engaged for the purpose of settling the final preliminaries to the hostile meeting. The night watch of the hotel could have told, and afterwards did tell, how these two men had shut themselves up together in a private room, where they remained from one o’clock, till half past two, when they came out together, locked the door, took the key with them, left the house, and bent their steps towards the gloomy heights of Noirmont that lay behind the town; and how about four o’clock they returned, and separated, each going to his own apartment. Certainly at about a quarter past four Mr. Tredegar entered Alexander’s chamber, where he found his principal tossing about on the bed in a feverish and impatient manner. “Have you slept?” inquired Francis. “Slept? How could I? Is it time to rise?” “Yes.” “I am very glad of it,” exclaimed Alexander, jumping out of bed. “You have rather more than two hours before you, if you have any last preparations to make,” said Francis, gravely. “I have nothing to do but shave, wash and dress.” “But—” said Francis, sadly. “I tell you I have no other preparations to make. Having settled my worldly affairs, I have no other preparations to make. What should I have?” emphatically exclaimed Alexander. What, indeed? How could the duelist prepare for probable death? The Christian soldier going into battle, or upon a forlorn hope, in a righteous cause can invoke the blessing of God on his arms, and can commit his soul, for life or death, into His holy keeping. Yes, even the condemned criminal, however deeply steeped in guilt, can kneel and pray for mercy and forgiveness, for acceptance and admission into Heaven. These can prepare to meet their God. But how can the determined duelist prepare for death? Can he pray for pardon for past sins when he is about to commit the last, the greatest, the deadliest sin of his life? No, he goes to his fatal work grimly defying man and God, death and hell.