"One afternoon we went out riding together. My wife's horse became restive. She was frightened, got off the horse, handed the reins over to me, and walked home. I rode on before her. In the yard I saw a travelling carriage, and I was told that in my study sat a man who would not give his name, but simply said that he wanted to see me on business. I entered the study, and saw in the darkness a man, dusty and unshaven. He stood there, by the fireplace. I approached him trying to recollect his face. "'You don't remember me, Count?' he said, in a tremulous voice. "'Silvio!' I cried, and I confess, I felt that my hair was standing on end. "'Exactly so,' he added. 'You owe me a shot; I have come to claim it. Are you ready?' A pistol protruded from his side pocket. [Illustration: "MASHA THREW HERSELF AT HIS FEET."] "I measured twelve paces, and stood there in that corner, begging him to fire quickly, before my wife came in. "He hesitated, and asked for a light. Candles were brought in. I locked the doors, gave orders that no one should enter, and again called upon him to fire. He took out his pistol and aimed. "I counted the seconds.... I thought of her.... A terrible moment passed! Then Silvio lowered his hand. "'I only regret,' he said, 'that the pistol is not loaded with cherry-stones. My bullet is heavy; and it always seems to me that an affair of this kind is not a duel, but a murder. I am not accustomed to aim at unarmed men. Let us begin again from the beginning. Let us cast lots as to who shall fire first.' "My head went round. I think I objected. Finally, however, we loaded another pistol and rolled up two pieces of paper. These he placed inside his cap; the one through which, at our first meeting, I had put the bullet. I again drew the lucky number. "'Count, you have the devil's luck,' he said, with a smile which I shall never forget. "I don't know what I was about, or how it happened that he succeeded in inducing me. But I fired and hit that picture." The Count pointed with his finger to the picture with the shot-marks. His face had become red with agitation. The Countess was whiter than her own handkerchief: and I could not restrain an exclamation. "I fired," continued the Count, "and, thank heaven, missed. Then Silvio--at this moment he was really terrible--then Silvio raised his pistol to take aim at me. "Suddenly the door flew open, Masha rushed into the room. She threw herself upon my neck with a loud shriek. Her presence restored to me all my courage. "'My dear,' I said to her, 'don't you see that we are only joking? How frightened you look! Go and drink a glass of water and then come back; I will introduce you to an old friend and comrade.' "Masha was still in doubt. "'Tell me, is my husband speaking the truth?' she asked, turning to the terrible Silvio; 'is it true that you are only joking?'