"That is very easy to say, my friend, but you have to play for your life, and you leave to us and before your family the responsibility of the result." "Ah, as to that you may make your mind quite easy, I know my mother and brother well enough; they would only ask whether I had conducted myself as a brave man, and if you replied in the affirmative they would be satisfied." "But, hang it, we must know which arm you prefer." "Well, if they propose pistols, accept them at once." "That is my advice, also," said the Baron. "Very well, then, the pistol be it," I replied, "since that is the advice of both of you, but the pistol is a horrible weapon." "Have I time to learn to fence between this and to-morrow?" "No, unless, perhaps, you studied Grissier, and then you might learn enough to defend yourself." Louis smiled. "Believe me," said he, "that what will happen tomorrow is already written on high, and whatever we may do we cannot alter that." We then shook hands with him and went downstairs. Our first visit was naturally to the nearer of the two gentlemen who had called on behalf of our adversary. We, therefore, visited Monsieur René de Chateaugrand, who lived, as we have said, at 12, Rue de la Paix. Any other visitors were forbidden while we were calling, and we were at once introduced to his presence. We found Monsieur de Chateaugrand a perfect man of the world--he would not for one moment give us the trouble of calling upon Monsieur de Boissy--he sent his own servant for him. While we were waiting his appearance, we spoke of everything but the subject which had brought us thither, and in about ten minutes Monsieur de Boissy arrived. The two gentlemen did not advance any pretensions to the choice of arms, the sword or pistol was equally familiar to M. de Chateau Renaud. They were quite willing to leave the selection to M. de Franchi, or to toss up. A louis was thrown into the air, face for sword, reverse for pistols. The coin came down reverse. So it was decided. The combat was arranged to take place next morning at nine o'clock, in the wood of Vincennes, where the adversaries would be placed at twenty paces, and after the third signal given by clapping the hands they were to fire. We returned to convey this decision to Louis de Franchi. On my return home the same evening, I found the cards of MM. de Chateaugrand and de Boissy. CHAPTER XVI. AT eight o'clock that evening I called upon M. Louis de Franchi, to inquire whether he had anything to confide to me. But he begged me to wait till next morning, saying: "The night will bring counsel with it." Next morning, therefore, instead of calling at eight, which would have given us plenty of time to go to the meeting, I called at half-past seven. Louis was already writing in his study. He looked up as I entered, and I noticed how very pale he was.