"I should like to be told frankly if you look upon this as a serious matter. You know we must mould our conduct upon that." "Indeed, I do consider it a very serious matter. You heard me place myself at M. de Chateau Renaud's disposal, he has sent to me. I must now go with the current." "Yes, of course, but after all----" "Go on," said Louis, smilingly. "After all," I continued, "we must know what you are going to fight for. We cannot put two men up to cut and slash each other without having some ground for the encounter." "Very well, let me tell you in as few words as possible, the head and front of the offending. "When I first arrived in Paris I was introduced by a friend of mine, a captain in the navy, to his wife. She was young and beautiful. She made a deep impression upon me, and as I was really afraid I might end by falling in love with her, I very rarely went to my friend's house, although frequently pressed to do so. "My friend was rather piqued at my absence, and at last I frankly told him the truth, that his wife being so charming I was rather afraid to go to his house. He laughed, shook hands with me, and asked me, even pressed me, to dine with him that same evening. "'My dear Louis,' said he, after dinner. 'In a few weeks I shall sail for Mexico. I may be absent three months, perhaps six--or longer. We sailors sometimes know when we shall sail, but never when we may return. To you, I commend Emily during my absence. Emily, I beg of you to look upon M. Louis de Franchi as a brother.' "The lady gave me her hand in token of agreement. I was stupefied! I did not know what to say, and I daresay I appeared very stupid to my future sister. "Three weeks after this my friend sailed. "During those three weeks he insisted that I should dine at least once a week with them _en famille._ "Emily's mother then came to live with her. I need scarcely say that her husband's confidence was not abused, and though I loved her dearly I regarded her simply as a sister. "Six months elapsed. "Emily's mother still remained with her, but when he went away, her husband had entreated her to receive as usual. There was nothing my poor friend had a greater horror of than to appear as a jealous husband. He adored Emily and had every confidence in her. "So Emily continued to receive, and they were very friendly receptions. But her mother's presence silenced all scandal or cause for it, and no one could say a word against her reputation. "At the end of three months or so M. de Chateau Renaud appeared. "You believe in presentiments, I daresay. When I first saw that man I disliked him and would not speak to him. I hated him. "But why I disliked him I cannot tell you. I did! "Most likely because I saw that even at his first appearance Emily seemed inclined to like him, and he evidently admired her. Perhaps I am mistaken, but, as at the bottom of my heart I had never ceased to love Emily, I suspect I was jealous.