"Oh," said Lucien, "I do not deserve your praise, for one barrel is rifled, and carries a ball like a carbine." "Never mind, such a shot with a carbine deserves honourable mention." "Bah!" said Orlandi; "why, with a carbine, Monsieur Lucien could hit a five-franc piece at three hundred paces." "And can you shoot with a pistol as well as with a gun?" "Yes," said Lucien, "very nearly. At twenty-five paces I can always divide six balls out of twelve on the blade of a knife." I took off my hat and saluted the speaker, saying, "Is your brother an equally good shot?" "My brother?" he replied. "Poor Louis! he has never handled gun nor pistol in his life. My great fear is that he will get mixed up in some affair in Paris, and, brave as he undoubtedly is, he will be killed to sustain the honour of the country." Lucien, as he spoke, thrust the pheasant into the great pocket of his velveteen coat. "Now," he said, "my dear Orlandi, till to-morrow farewell." "Till to-morrow, Monsieur Lucien?" "I count upon your punctuality. At ten o'clock your friends and relatives will be at the end of the street. On the opposite side Colona, with his friends, will be likewise present, and we shall be on the steps of the church." "That is agreed, Monsieur Lucien. Many thanks for your trouble; and to you, monsieur," he added, turning to me, "I am obliged for the honour you have done me." After this exchange of compliments we separated, Orlandi disappearing in the brushwood, while we took our way back to the village. As for Diamond, he was puzzled which to follow, and he stood looking right and left at the Orlandi and ourselves alternately. After hesitating for about five minutes, he did us the honour to accompany Lucien and me. I must confess that while I had been scaling the ruined walls I had had my misgivings as to how I should descend, for the descent is usually more difficult, under such circumstances, than the ascent. But I was glad to see that Lucien, apparently divining my thoughts, took another route home. This road, also, was advantageous in another respect, for it was not so rough, and conversation was easier. At length, finding the path quite smooth, I continued my questions to my companion, in accordance with my usual custom, and said-- "Now peace is made, I suppose?" "Yes, and as you see, it has not been concluded without some trouble. I have been obliged to represent all the advances as having been made by the Colona; for, you see, they have had five men killed, while the Orlandi have lost but four. The former consented to the arrangement yesterday, and the latter to-day. The upshot of it all is that the Colona have agreed to hand over a live hen to the Orlandi, a concession which will prove them in the wrong. This last consideration has settled the matter." "And to-morrow this touching reconciliation will be effected?" "Yes, to-morrow, at ten o'clock. You are still unfortunate; you hoped to see a Vendetta?"