‘Not quite,’ said Baptiste, laughing, ‘she is my wife.’ “‘Your wife,’ said I, in great surprise, ‘she is rich and noble, while you are——’ “‘A robber, you would say.’ “‘Quite so,’ I replied. “‘That is nothing when you know all,’ said Baptiste. ‘I was always noted for my “winning ways,” as the ladies say, and am not bad-looking when I dress myself and pass off as a noble.’ “‘And what name do you go by?’ I asked, laughing. “‘Count Ferdinand,’ said Baptiste, quite calmly. “‘And do you mean to tell me, seriously, that you are married to the lovely and bewitching Donna Evelina?’ “‘I was never more serious in my life.’ “‘And how did it happen?’ “‘I robbed the house of her father once, and was concealed therein for three days, and could not get out again. During that time I saw a great deal of young Evelina from my hiding place, and fell desperately in love with her.’ “‘With her jewels, perhaps,’ I remarked. “‘Just so,’ he answered, ‘and I resolved by fair means or by foul to become possessed of her.’ “‘Well, and how did you succeed?’ I asked. “‘Unfortunately she got married a week afterwards, and I almost went distracted.’ “‘What did you do?’ “‘Why, with the money and jewels which I stole I dressed myself up, and often met her husband, Count Felix. “‘He seemed to take a great liking to me, and, as he was rather old and ugly, I began to think it would not take much to make a fool of him. “‘He invited me to dine with him, and I accepted, but after dinner business took him away from the festive board for an hour or so. “‘She sang, and played the guitar divinely, and I got so warm in love that I began to whisper and throw out hints to her that her husband was unfaithful to her, and had at that moment gone forth to meet some strange flame. “‘My words, however, instead of being listened to with pleasure, excited Evelina’s anger. “‘I left before the count’s return. “‘His wife told him all I had said. “‘He left her with a smile, but with no indications of passion. “‘She did not know or suspect whither he had gone. “‘He sought me down by the river, where the gay world resort for an evening walk. “‘He touched me on the shoulder, and whispered “villain, traducer,” in my ears, and touched the hilt of his sword. “‘I knew what that meant, and followed him. “‘We walked a long distance until we came to a small valley surrounded by high hills. “‘No cottage was there, not a soul saw us. “‘The moon alone was the light which gazed upon us. “‘Draw,’ said Count Felix, with a quivering lip, ‘you or I must die!’ “‘I at first refused, and tried to get out of the duel; but he would listen to no excuses. “‘Fight I must, and fight I did, for with all my faults,’ said Baptiste, ‘I am not a coward! “‘Out came my trusty blade. “‘We crossed swords. “‘How long we fought I know not; but I shall not forget that terrible conflict for a whole lifetime.