"Ah, really! So Chateau Renaud had the right to quarrel with my brother because he offered his arm to a woman whom Chateau Renaud had scandalously deceived, and according to you he had the right to challenge my brother. M. de Chateau Renaud killed my brother, who had never handled a pistol: he shot him with the same sense of security that a man would shoot a hare; and yet you say I have no right to challenge Chateau Renaud. Nonsense!" I bowed without speaking. "Besides," he continued, "you have nothing to do with it. You may be quite easy. I wrote to Giordano this morning, and when we return to Paris all will have been arranged. Do you think that M. de Chateau Renaud will refuse?" "M. de Chateau Renaud has unfortunately a reputation for courage which may serve to remove any doubt you may entertain on that score." "All the better," said Lucien. "Let us go to breakfast." We returned to the road, and entering the cabriolet, I told the man to drive to the Rue Rivoli. "No," said Lucien, "you shall breakfast with me. Coachman, the _Café de Paris;_ is not that the place where my brother usually dined?" "I believe so," I replied. "Well, that is where I requested Giordano to meet us." "To the Café de Paris, then." In half an hour we were set down at the restaurant. CHAPTER XX. LUCIEN'S appearance created quite a sensation in consequence of his remarkable likeness to his brother. The news of Louis' death had gone abroad--not, perhaps, in all its details, but it was known, and Lucien's appearance astonished many. I requested a private room, saying that we were expecting the Baron Giordano, and we got a room at the end. Lucien began to read the papers carelessly, as if he were oblivious of everything. While we were seated at breakfast Giordano arrived. The two young men had not met for four or five years, nevertheless, a firm clasp of the hand was the only demonstration they permitted themselves. "Well, everything is settled," he said. "Then M. de Chateau Renaud has accepted?" "Yes, on condition, however, that after he has fought you he shall be left in peace." "Oh, he may be quite easy; I am the last of the de Franchi. Have you seen him, or his seconds?" "I saw him; he will notify MM. de Boissy and de Chateaugrand. The weapons, the hour and the place will be the same." "Capital, sit down and have some breakfast." The Baron seated himself, and we spoke on indifferent topics. After breakfast Lucien begged us to introduce him to the Commissioner of Police, who had sealed up his brother's property, and to the proprietors of the house at which his brother had lived, for he wished to sleep that night, the last night that separated him from his vengeance, in Louis' room. All these arrangements took up time, so it was not till five o'clock that Lucien entered his brother's apartment. Respecting his grief, we left him there alone.