第8章

"Iamgoingtoattendtoitatonce，"declaredLieut。

Feraud，withextremetruculence。"Ifyouarethinkingofdisplayingyourairsandgracesto-nightinMadamedeLionne\'ssalonyouareverymuchmistaken。"

"Really!"saidLieut。D\'Hubert，whowasbeginningtofeelirritated，"youareanimpracticablesortoffellow。Thegeneral\'sorderstomeweretoputyouunderarrest，nottocarveyouintosmallpieces。Good-

morning!"AndturninghisbackonthelittleGascon，who，alwayssoberinhispotations，wasasthoughbornintoxicatedwiththesunshineofhisvine-ripeningcoun-

try，theNorthman，whocoulddrinkhardonoccasion，butwasbornsoberunderthewateryskiesofPicardy，madeforthedoor。Hearing，however，theunmistak-

ablesoundbehindhisbackofasworddrawnfromthescabbard，hehadnooptionbuttostop。

"DeviltakethismadSoutherner!"hethought，spin-

ningroundandsurveyingwithcomposurethewarlikepostureofLieut。Feraud，withabareswordinhishand。

"Atonce!——atonce!"stutteredFeraud，besidehimself。

"Youhadmyanswer，"saidtheother，keepinghistemperverywell。

Atfirsthehadbeenonlyvexed，andsomewhatamused；butnowhisfacegotclouded。Hewasaskinghimselfseriouslyhowhecouldmanagetogetaway。

Itwasimpossibletorunfromamanwithasword，andastofightinghim，itseemedcompletelyoutofthequestion。Hewaitedawhile，thensaidexactlywhatwasinhisheart。

"Dropthis!Iwon\'tfightwithyou。Iwon\'tbemaderidiculous。"

"Ah，youwon\'t?"hissedtheGascon。"Isupposeyouprefertobemadeinfamous。DoyouhearwhatI

say?……Infamous!Infamous!Infamous!"heshrieked，risingandfallingonhistoesandgettingveryredintheface。

Lieut。D\'Hubert，onthecontrary，becameverypaleatthesoundoftheunsavourywordforamoment，thenflushedpinktotherootsofhisfairhair。"Butyoucan\'tgoouttofight；youareunderarrest，youlunatic!"

heobjected，withangryscorn。

"There\'sthegarden:it\'sbigenoughtolayoutyourlongcarcassin，"splutteredtheotherwithsuchardourthatsomehowtheangerofthecoolermansubsided。

"Thisisperfectlyabsurd，"hesaid，gladenoughtothinkhehadfoundawayoutofitforthemoment。

"Weshallnevergetanyofourcomradestoserveasseconds。It\'spreposterous。"

"Seconds!Damntheseconds!Wedon\'twantanyseconds。Don\'tyouworryaboutanyseconds。I

shallsendwordtoyourfriendstocomeandburyyouwhenIamdone。Andifyouwantanywitnesses，I\'llsendwordtotheoldgirltoputherheadoutofawindowattheback。Stay!There\'sthegardener。

He\'lldo。He\'sasdeafasapost，buthehastwoeyesinhishead。Comealong!Iwillteachyou，mystaffofficer，thatthecarryingaboutofageneral\'sordersisnotalwayschild\'splay。"

Whilethusdiscoursinghehadunbuckledhisemptyscabbard。Hesentitflyingunderthebed，and，lower-

ingthepointofthesword，brushedpasttheperplexedLieut。D\'Hubert，exclaiming，"Followme!"Directlyhehadflungopenthedoorafaintshriekwasheardandtheprettymaid，whohadbeenlisteningatthekeyhole，staggeredaway，puttingthebacksofherhandsoverhereyes。Ferauddidnotseemtoseeher，butsheranafterhimandseizedhisleftarm。Heshookheroff，andthensherushedtowardsLieut。D\'Hubertandclawedatthesleeveofhisuniform。

"Wretchedman!"shesobbed。"Isthiswhatyouwantedtofindhimfor?"

"Letmego，"entreatedLieut。D\'Hubert，tryingtodisengagehimselfgently。"It\'slikebeinginamad-

house，"heprotested，withexasperation。"Doletmego!Iwon\'tdohimanyharm。"

AfiendishlaughfromLieut。Feraudcommentedthatassurance。"Comealong!"heshouted，withastampofhisfoot。

AndLieut。D\'Hubertdidfollow。Hecoulddonoth-

ingelse。Yetinvindicationofhissanityitmustberecordedthatashepassedthroughtheante-roomthenotionofopeningthestreetdoorandboltingoutpre-

senteditselftothisbraveyouth，onlyofcoursetobeinstantlydismissed，forhefeltsurethattheotherwouldpursuehimwithoutshameorcompunction。Andtheprospectofanofficerofhussarsbeingchasedalongthestreetbyanotherofficerofhussarswithanakedswordcouldnotbeforamomententertained。Thereforehefollowedintothegarden。Behindthemthegirltotteredout，too。Withashylipsandwild，scaredeyes，shesurrenderedherselftoadreadfulcuriosity。

ShehadalsothenotionofrushingifneedbebetweenLieut。Feraudanddeath。

Thedeafgardener，utterlyunconsciousofapproach-

ingfootsteps，wentonwateringhisflowerstillLieut。

Feraudthumpedhimontheback。Beholdingsuddenlyanenragedmanflourishingabigsabre，theoldchaptremblinginallhislimbsdroppedthewatering-pot。AtonceLieut。Feraudkickeditawaywithgreatanimosity，and，seizingthegardenerbythethroat，backedhimagainstatree。Heheldhimthere，shoutinginhisear，"Stayhere，andlookon!Youunderstand?You\'vegottolookon!Don\'tdarebudgefromthespot!"

Lieut。D\'Hubertcameslowlydownthewalk，un-

claspinghisdolmanwithunconcealeddisgust。Eventhen，withhishandalreadyonthehiltofhissword，hehesitatedtodrawtillaroar，"Engarde，fichtre!Whatdoyouthinkyoucameherefor?"andtherushofhisadversaryforcedhimtoputhimselfasquicklyaspos-

sibleinapostureofdefence。

Theclashofarmsfilledthatprimgarden，whichhithertohadknownnomorewarlikesoundthantheclickofclippingshears；andpresentlytheupperpartofanoldlady\'sbodywasprojectedoutofawindowup-

stairs。Shetossedherarmsaboveherwhitecap，scoldinginacrackedvoice。Thegardenerremainedgluedtothetree，histoothlessmouthopeninidioticastonishment，andalittlefartherupthepaththeprettygirl，asifspellboundtoasmallgrassplot，ranafewstepsthiswayandthat，wringingherhandsandmutter-

ingcrazily。Shedidnotrushbetweenthecombatants:

theonslaughtsofLieut。Feraudweresofiercethatherheartfailedher。Lieut。D\'Hubert，hisfacultiesconcen-

tratedupondefence，neededallhisskillandscienceoftheswordtostoptherushesofhisadversary。Twicealreadyhehadtobreakground。Itbotheredhimtofeelhisfootholdmadeinsecurebytheround，drygravelofthepathrollingunderthehardsolesofhisboots。

Thiswasmostunsuitableground，hethought，keepingawatchful，narrowedgaze，shadedbylongeyelashes，uponthefierystareofhisthick-setadversary。Thisabsurdaffairwouldruinhisreputationofasensible，well-behaved，promisingyoungofficer。Itwoulddamage，atanyrate，hisimmediateprospects，andlosehimthegood-willofhisgeneral。Theseworldlypre-

occupationswerenodoubtmisplacedinviewofthesolemnityofthemoment。Aduel，whetherregardedasaceremonyinthecultofhonour，orevenwhenreducedinitsmoralessencetoaformofmanlysport，demandsaperfectsinglenessofintention，ahomicidalausterityofmood。Ontheotherhand，thisvividconcernforhisfuturehadnotabadeffectinasmuchasitbegantorousetheangerofLieut。D\'Hubert。Someseventysecondshadelapsedsincetheyhadcrossedblades，andLieut。D\'Huberthadtobreakgroundagaininordertoavoidimpalinghisrecklessadversarylikeabeetleforacabinetofspecimens。Theresultwasthatmisappre-

hendingthemotive，Lieut。Feraudwithatriumphantsortofsnarlpressedhisattack。

"Thisenragedanimalwillhavemeagainstthewalldirectly，"thoughtLieut。D\'Hubert。Heimaginedhim-

selfmuchclosertothehousethanhewas，andhedarednotturnhishead；itseemedtohimthathewaskeepinghisadversaryoffwithhiseyesrathermorethanwithhispoint。Lieut。Feraudcrouchedandboundedwithafiercetigerishagilityfittotroublethestoutestheart。

Butwhatwasmoreappallingthanthefuryofawildbeast，accomplishinginallinnocenceofheartanaturalfunction，wasthefixityofsavagepurposemanaloneiscapableofdisplaying。Lieut。D\'Hubertinthemidstofhisworldlypreoccupationsperceiveditatlast。Itwasanabsurdanddamagingaffairtobedrawninto，butwhateversillyintentionthefellowhadstartedwith，itwasclearenoughthatbythistimehemeanttokill——

nothingless。Hemeantitwithanintensityofwillutterlybeyondtheinferiorfacultiesofatiger。

Asisthecasewithconstitutionallybravemen，thefullviewofthedangerinterestedLieut。D\'Hubert。

Anddirectlyhegotproperlyinterested，thelengthofhisarmandthecoolnessofhisheadtoldinhisfavour。ItwastheturnofLieut。Feraudtorecoil，withablood-

curdlinggruntofbaffledrage。Hemadeaswiftfeint，andthenrushedstraightforward。

"Ah!youwould，wouldyou?"Lieut。D\'Hubertexclaimed，mentally。Thecombathadlastednearlytwominutes，timeenoughforanymantogetem-

bittered，apartfromthemeritsofthequarrel。Andallatonceitwasover。Tryingtoclosebreasttobreastunderhisadversary\'sguardLieut。Feraudreceivedaslashonhisshortenedarm。Hedidnotfeelitintheleast，butitcheckedhisrush，andhisfeetslippingonthegravelhefellbackwardswithgreatviolence。Theshockjarredhisboilingbrainintotheperfectquietudeofinsensibility。Simultaneouslywithhisfalltheprettyservant-girlshrieked；buttheoldmaidenladyatthewindowceasedherscolding，andbegantocrossher-

selfpiously。

Beholdinghisadversarystretchedoutperfectlystill，hisfacetothesky，Lieut。D\'Hubertthoughthehadkilledhimoutright。Theimpressionofhavingslashedhardenoughtocuthismancleanintwoabodewithhimforawhileinanexaggeratedmemoryoftherightgood-willhehadputintotheblow。Hedroppedonhiskneeshastilybythesideoftheprostratebody。

Discoveringthatnoteventhearmwassevered，aslightsenseofdisappointmentmingledwiththefeelingofrelief。Thefellowdeservedtheworst。Buttrulyhedidnotwantthedeathofthatsinner。Theaffairwasuglyenoughasitstood，andLieut。D\'Hubertaddressedhimselfatoncetothetaskofstoppingthebleeding。Inthistaskitwashisfatetoberidiculouslyimpededbytheprettymaid。Rendingtheairwithscreamsofhorror，sheattackedhimfrombehindand，twiningherfingersinhishair，tuggedbackathishead。Whysheshouldchoosetohinderhimatthisprecisemomenthecouldnotintheleastunderstand。Hedidnottry。

Itwasalllikeaverywickedandharassingdream。

Twicetosavehimselffrombeingpulledoverhehadtoriseandflingheroff。Hedidthisstoically，withoutaword，kneelingdownagainatoncetogoonwithhiswork。Butthethirdtime，hisworkbeingdone，heseizedherandheldherarmspinnedtoherbody。Hercapwashalfoff，herfacewasred，hereyesblazedwithcrazyboldness。Helookedmildlyintothemwhileshecalledhimawretch，atraitor，andamurderermanytimesinsuccession。Thisdidnotannoyhimsomuchastheconvictionthatshehadmanagedtoscratchhisfaceabundantly。Ridiculewouldbeaddedtothescandalofthestory。Heimaginedtheadornedtalemakingitswaythroughthegarrisonofthetown，throughthewholearmyonthefrontier，witheverypossibledistortionofmotiveandsentimentandcircumstance，spreadingadoubtuponthesanityofhisconductandthedistinctionofhistasteeventotheveryearsofhishonourablefamily。ItwasallverywellforthatfellowFeraud，whohadnoconnections，nofamilytospeakof，andnoqualitybutcourage，which，anyhow，wasamatterofcourse，andpossessedbyeverysingletrooperinthewholemassofFrenchcavalry。Stillholdingdownthearmsofthegirlinastronggrip，Lieut。D\'Hubertglancedoverhisshoulder。Lieut。Feraudhadopenedhiseyes。Hedidnotmove。Likeamanjustwakingfromadeepsleephestaredwithoutanyexpressionattheeveningsky。

Lieut。D\'Hubert\'surgentshoutstotheoldgardenerproducednoeffect——notsomuchastomakehimshuthistoothlessmouth。Thenherememberedthatthemanwasstonedeaf。Allthattimethegirlstruggled，notwithmaidenlycoyness，butlikeapretty，dumbfury，kickinghisshinsnowandthen。Hecontinuedtoholdherasifinavice，hisinstincttellinghimthatwerehetolethergoshewouldflyathiseyes。Buthewasgreatlyhumiliatedbyhisposition。Atlastshegaveup。

Shewasmoreexhaustedthanappeased，hefeared。

Nevertheless，heattemptedtogetoutofthiswickeddreambywayofnegotiation。

"Listentome，"hesaid，ascalmlyashecould。

"WillyoupromisetorunforasurgeonifIletyougo?"

Withrealafflictionheheardherdeclarethatshewoulddonothingofthekind。Onthecontrary，hersobbedoutintentionwastoremaininthegarden，andfighttoothandnailfortheprotectionofthevanquishedman。Thiswasshocking。

"Mydearchild!"hecriedindespair，"isitpossiblethatyouthinkmecapableofmurderingawoundedadversary?Isit……Bequiet，youlittlewildcat，you!"

Theystruggled。Athick，drowsyvoicesaidbehindhim，"Whatareyouafterwiththatgirl?"

Lieut。Feraudhadraisedhimselfonhisgoodarm。

Hewaslookingsleepilyathisotherarm，atthemessofbloodonhisuniform，atasmallredpoolontheground，athissabrelyingafootawayonthepath。Thenhelaidhimselfdowngentlyagaintothinkitallout，asfarasathunderingheadachewouldpermitofmentaloperations。

Lieut。D\'Hubertreleasedthegirlwhocrouchedatoncebythesideoftheotherlieutenant。Theshadesofnightwerefallingonthelittletrimgardenwiththistouchinggroup，whenceproceededlowmurmursofsorrowandcompassion，withotherfeeblesoundsofadifferentcharacter，asifanimperfectlyawakeinvalidweretryingtoswear。Lieut。D\'Hubertwentaway。

Hepassedthroughthesilenthouse，andcongratu-

latedhimselfupontheduskconcealinghisgoryhandsandscratchedfacefromthepassers-by。Butthisstorycouldbynomeansbeconcealed。Hedreadedthediscreditandridiculeaboveeverything，andwaspain-

fullyawareofsneakingthroughthebackstreetsinthemannerofamurderer。Presentlythesoundsofaflutecomingoutoftheopenwindowofalightedupstairsroominamodesthouseinterruptedhisdismalreflections。Itwasbeingplayedwithaperseveringvirtuosity，andthroughthefiorituresofthetuneonecouldheartheregularthumpingofthefootbeatingtimeonthefloor。

Lieut。D\'Hubertshoutedaname，whichwasthatofanarmysurgeonwhomheknewfairlywell。Thesoundsofthefluteceased，andthemusicianappearedatthewindow，hisinstrumentstillinhishand，peeringintothestreet。

"Whocalls?You，D\'Hubert?Whatbringsyouthisway?"

Hedidnotliketobedisturbedatthehourwhenhewasplayingtheflute。Hewasamanwhosehairhadturnedgreyalreadyinthethanklesstaskoftyingupwoundsonbattlefieldswhereothersreapedadvance-

mentandglory。

"IwantyoutogoatonceandseeFeraud。YouknowLieut。Feraud?Helivesdownthesecondstreet。

It\'sbutastepfromhere。"

"What\'sthematterwithhim?"

"Wounded。"

"Areyousure?"

"Sure!"criedD\'Hubert。"Icomefromthere。"

"That\'samusing，"saidtheelderlysurgeon。Amus-

ingwashisfavouriteword；buttheexpressionofhisfacewhenhepronounceditnevercorresponded。Hewasastolidman。"Comein，"headded。"I\'llgetreadyinamoment。"

"Thanks!Iwill。Iwanttowashmyhandsinyourroom。"

Lieut。D\'Hubertfoundthesurgeonoccupiedinun-

screwinghisflute，andpackingthepiecesmethodicallyinacase。Heturnedhishead。

"Waterthere——inthecorner。Yourhandsdowantwashing。"

"I\'vestoppedthebleeding，"saidLieut。D\'Hubert。

"Butyouhadbettermakehaste。It\'srathermorethantenminutesago，youknow。"

Thesurgeondidnothurryhismovements。

"What\'sthematter?Dressingcameoff?That\'samusing。I\'vebeenatworkinthehospitalalldaybutI\'vebeentoldthismorningbysomebodythathehadcomeoffwithoutascratch。"

"Notthesameduelprobably，"growledmoodilyLieut。D\'Hubert，wipinghishandsonacoarsetowel。

"Notthesame……What?Another。Itwouldtaketheverydeviltomakemegoouttwiceinoneday。"ThesurgeonlookednarrowlyatLieut。

D\'Hubert。"Howdidyoucomebythatscratchedface?Bothsides，too——andsymmetrical。It\'samus-

ing。"

"Very!"snarledLieut。D\'Hubert。"Andyouwillfindhisslashedarmamusing，too。Itwillkeepbothofyouamusedforquitealongtime。"

ThedoctorwasmystifiedandimpressedbythebrusquebitternessofLieut。D\'Hubert\'stone。Theyleftthehousetogether，andinthestreethewasstillmoremystifiedbyhisconduct。

"Aren\'tyoucomingwithme?"heasked。

"No，"saidLieut。D\'Hubert。"Youcanfindthehousebyyourself。Thefrontdoorwillbestandingopenverylikely。"

"Allright。Where\'shisroom?"

"Groundfloor。Butyouhadbettergorightthroughandlookinthegardenfirst。"

Thisastonishingpieceofinformationmadethesurgeongooffwithoutfurtherparley。Lieut。D\'Hu-

bertregainedhisquartersnursingahotanduneasyindignation。Hedreadedthechaffofhiscomradesal-

mostasmuchastheangerofhissuperiors。Thetruthwasconfoundedlygrotesqueandembarrassing，evenputtingasidetheirregularityofthecombatitself，whichmadeitcomeabominablynearacriminaloffence。Likeallmenwithoutmuchimagination，afacultywhichhelpstheprocessofreflectivethought，Lieut。D\'Hubertbecamefrightfullyharassedbytheobviousaspectsofhispredicament。HewascertainlygladthathehadnotkilledLieut。Feraudoutsideallrules，andwithouttheregularwitnessespropertosuchatransaction。Un-

commonlyglad。Atthesametimehefeltasthoughhewouldhavelikedtowringhisneckforhimwithoutceremony。

Hewasstillundertheswayofthesecontradictorysentimentswhenthesurgeonamateuroftheflutecametoseehim。Morethanthreedayshadelapsed。Lieut。

D\'Hubertwasnolongerofficierd\'ordonnancetothegeneralcommandingthedivision。Hehadbeensentbacktohisregiment。Andhewasresuminghiscon-

nectionwiththesoldiers\'militaryfamilybybeingshutupincloseconfinement，notathisownquartersintown，butinaroominthebarracks。Owingtothegravityoftheincident，hewasforbiddentoseeanyone。Hedidnotknowwhathadhappened，whatwasbeingsaid，orwhatwasbeingthought。Thearrivalofthesurgeonwasamostunexpectedthingtotheworriedcaptive。Theamateuroftheflutebeganbyexplainingthathewasthereonlybyaspecialfavourofthecolonel。

"Irepresentedtohimthatitwouldbeonlyfairtoletyouhavesomeauthenticnewsofyouradversary，"hecontinued。"You\'llbegladtohearhe\'sgettingbetterfast。"

Lieut。D\'Hubert\'sfaceexhibitednoconventionalsignsofgladness。Hecontinuedtowalkthefloorofthedustybareroom。

"Takethischair，doctor，"hemumbled。

Thedoctorsatdown。

"Thisaffairisvariouslyappreciated——intownandinthearmy。Infact，thediversityofopinionsisamus-

ing。"

"Isit!"mumbledLieut。D\'Hubert，trampingsteadilyfromwalltowall。Butwithinhimselfhemarvelledthattherecouldbetwoopinionsonthematter。Thesurgeoncontinued。

"Ofcourse，astherealfactsarenotknown——"

"Ishouldhavethought，"interruptedD\'Hubert，"thatthefellowwouldhaveputyouinpossessionoffacts。"

"Hesaidsomething，"admittedtheother，"thefirsttimeIsawhim。And，bytheby，Ididfindhiminthegarden。Thethumponthebackofhisheadhadmadehimalittleincoherentthen。Afterwardshewasratherreticentthanotherwise。"

"Didn\'tthinkhewouldhavethegracetobeashamed!"mumbledD\'Hubert，resuminghispacingwhilethedoctormurmured，"It\'sveryamusing。

Ashamed!Shamewasnotexactlyhisframeofmind。

However，youmaylookatthematterotherwise。"

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whatmatter?"

askedD\'Hubert，withasidelonglookattheheavy-

faced，grey-hairedfigureseatedonawoodenchair。

"Whateveritis，"saidthesurgeonalittleim-

patiently，"Idon\'twanttopronounceanyopiniononyourconduct——"

"Byheavens，youhadbetternot!"burstoutD\'Hu-

bert。

"There!——there!Don\'tbesoquickinflourishingthesword。Itdoesn\'tpayinthelongrun。Under-

standonceforallthatIwouldnotcarveanyofyouyoungstersexceptwiththetoolsofmytrade。Butmyadviceisgood。Ifyougoonlikethisyouwillmakeforyourselfanuglyreputation。"

"Goonlikewhat?"demandedLieut。D\'Hubert，stoppingshort，quitestartled。"I!——I!——makeformy-

selfareputation……Whatdoyouimagine?"

"ItoldyouIdon\'twishtojudgeoftherightsandwrongsofthisincident。It\'snotmybusiness。Never-

theless——"

"Whatonearthhashebeentellingyou?"interruptedLieut。D\'Hubert，inasortofawedscare。

"Itoldyoualready，thatatfirst，whenIpickedhimupinthegarden，hewasincoherent。Afterwardshewasnaturallyreticent。ButIgatheratleastthathecouldnothelphimself。"

"Hecouldn\'t?"shoutedLieut。D\'Hubertinagreatvoice。Then，loweringhistoneimpressively，"Andwhataboutme?CouldIhelpmyself?"

Thesurgeonstoodup。Histhoughtswererunningupontheflute，hisconstantcompanionwithaconsolingvoice。Inthevicinityoffieldambulances，aftertwenty-

fourhours\'hardwork，hehadbeenknowntotroublewithitssweetsoundsthehorriblestillnessofbattle-

fields，givenovertosilenceandthedead。Thesolacinghourofhisdailylifewasapproaching，andinpeacetimeheheldontotheminutesasamisertohishoard。

"Ofcourse!——ofcourse!"hesaid，perfunctorily。

"Youwouldthinkso。It\'samusing。However，beingperfectlyneutralandfriendlytoyouboth，Ihavecon-

sentedtodeliverhismessagetoyou。SaythatIamhumouringaninvalidifyoulike。Hewantsyoutoknowthatthisaffairisbynomeansatanend。Heintendstosendyouhissecondsdirectlyhehasregainedhisstrength——providing，ofcourse，thearmyisnotinthefieldatthattime。"

"Heintends，doeshe?Why，certainly，"splutteredLieut。D\'Hubertinapassion。

Thesecretofhisexasperationwasnotapparenttothevisitor；butthispassionconfirmedthesurgeoninthebeliefwhichwasgaininggroundoutsidethatsomeveryseriousdifferencehadarisenbetweenthesetwoyoungmen，somethingseriousenoughtowearanairofmystery，somefactoftheutmostgravity。Tosettletheirurgentdifferenceaboutthatfact，thosetwoyoungmenhadriskedbeingbrokenanddisgracedattheout-

setalmostoftheircareer。Thesurgeonfearedthattheforthcominginquirywouldfailtosatisfythepubliccuriosity。Theywouldnottakethepublicintotheirconfidenceastothatsomethingwhichhadpassedbetweenthemofanaturesooutrageousastomakethemfaceachargeofmurder——neithermorenorless。

Butwhatcoulditbe?

Thesurgeonwasnotverycuriousbytemperament；

butthatquestionhauntinghismindcausedhimtwicethateveningtoholdtheinstrumentoffhislipsandsitsilentforawholeminute——rightinthemiddleofatune——tryingtoformaplausibleconjecture。

II

Hesucceededinthisobjectnobetterthantherestofthegarrisonandthewholeofsociety。Thetwoyoungofficers，ofnoespecialconsequencetillthen，be-

camedistinguishedbytheuniversalcuriosityastotheoriginoftheirquarrel。MadamedeLionne\'ssalonwasthecentreofingenioussurmises；thatladyherselfwasforatimeassailedbyinquiriesasbeingthelastpersonknowntohavespokentotheseunhappyandrecklessyoungmenbeforetheywentouttogetherfromherhousetoasavageencounterwithswords，atdusk，inaprivategarden。Sheprotestedshehadnotobservedanythingunusualintheirdemeanour。Lieut。Feraudhadbeenvisiblyannoyedatbeingcalledaway。Thatwasnaturalenough；nomanlikestobedisturbedinaconversationwithaladyfamedforhereleganceandsensibility。ButintruththesubjectboredMadamedeLionne，sinceherpersonalitycouldbynostretchofrecklessgossipbeconnectedwiththisaffair。Anditirritatedhertohearitadvancedthattheremighthavebeensomewomaninthecase。Thisirritationarose，notfromhereleganceorsensibility，butfromamoreinstinctivesideofhernature。Itbecamesogreatatlastthatsheperemptorilyforbadethesubjecttobementionedunderherroof。Nearhercouchthepro-

hibitionwasobeyed，butfartheroffinthesalonthepalloftheimposedsilencecontinuedtobeliftedmoreorless。Apersonagewithalong，paleface，resemblingthecountenanceofasheep，opined，shakinghishead，thatitwasaquarreloflongstandingenvenomedbytime。Itwasobjectedtohimthatthementhemselvesweretooyoungforsuchatheory。TheybelongedalsotodifferentanddistantpartsofFrance。Therewereotherphysicalimpossibilities，too。Asub-commissaryoftheIntendence，anagreeableandcultivatedbachelorinkerseymerebreeches，Hessianboots，andabluecoatembroideredwithsilverlace，whoaffectedtobelieveinthetransmigrationofsouls，suggestedthatthetwohadmetperhapsinsomepreviousexistence。Thefeudwasintheforgottenpast。Itmighthavebeensomethingquiteinconceivableinthepresentstateoftheirbeing；

buttheirsoulsrememberedtheanimosity，andmani-

festedaninstinctiveantagonism。Hedevelopedthisthemejocularly。Yettheaffairwassoabsurdfromtheworldly，themilitary，thehonourable，ortheprudentialpointofview，thatthisweirdexplanationseemedrathermorereasonablethananyother。

Thetwoofficershadconfidednothingdefinitetoanyone。Humiliationathavingbeenworstedarmsinhand，andanuneasyfeelingofhavingbeeninvolvedinascrapebytheinjusticeoffate，keptLieut。Feraudsavagelydumb。Hemistrustedthesympathyofman-

kind。Thatwould，ofcourse，gotothatdandifiedstaffofficer。Lyinginbed，heravedaloudtotheprettymaidwhoadministeredtohisneedswithdevotion，andlistenedtohishorribleimprecationswithalarm。ThatLieut。D\'Hubertshouldbemadeto"payforit，"seemedtoherjustandnatural。HerprincipalcarewasthatLieut。Feraudshouldnotexcitehimself。Heappearedsowhollyadmirableandfascinatingtothehumilityofherheartthatheronlyconcernwastoseehimgetwellquickly，evenifitwereonlytoresumehisvisitstoMadamedeLionne\'ssalon。

Lieut。D\'Hubertkeptsilentfortheimmediatereasonthattherewasnoone，exceptastupidyoungsoldierservant，tospeakto。Further，hewasawarethattheepisode，sograveprofessionally，haditscomicside。

Whenreflectinguponit，hestillfeltthathewouldliketowringLieut。Feraud\'sneckforhim。Butthisformulawasfigurativeratherthanprecise，andexpressedmoreastateofmindthananactualphysicalimpulse。Atthesametime，therewasinthatyoungmanafeelingofcomradeshipandkindnesswhichmadehimunwillingtomakethepositionofLieut。Feraudworsethanitwas。

Hedidnotwanttotalkatlargeaboutthiswretchedaffair。Attheinquiryhewouldhave，ofcourse，tospeakthetruthinself-defence。Thisprospectvexedhim。

Butnoinquirytookplace。Thearmytookthefieldinstead。Lieut。D\'Hubert，liberatedwithoutremark，tookuphisregimentalduties；andLieut。Feraud，hisarmjustoutofthesling，rodeunquestionedwithhissquadrontocompletehisconvalescenceinthesmokeofbattlefieldsandthefreshairofnightbivouacs。Thisbracingtreatmentsuitedhimsowell，thatatthefirstrumourofanarmisticebeingsignedhecouldturnwith-

outmisgivingstothethoughtsofhisprivatewarfare。

Thistimeitwastoberegularwarfare。HesenttwofriendstoLieut。D\'Hubert，whoseregimentwasstationedonlyafewmilesaway。Thosefriendshadaskednoquestionsoftheirprincipal。"Iowehimone，thatprettystaffofficer，"hehadsaid，grimly，andtheywentawayquitecontentedlyontheirmission。Lieut。

D\'Huberthadnodifficultyinfindingtwofriendsequallydiscreetanddevotedtotheirprincipal。

"There\'sacrazyfellowtowhomImustgivealesson，"

hehaddeclaredcurtly；andtheyaskedfornobetterreasons。

Onthesegroundsanencounterwithduelling-swordswasarrangedoneearlymorninginaconvenientfield。

Atthethirdset-toLieut。D\'Hubertfoundhimselflyingonhisbackonthedewygrasswithaholeinhisside。

Aserenesunrisingoveralandscapeofmeadowsandwoodshungonhisleft。Asurgeon——notthefluteplayer，butanother——wasbendingoverhim，feelingaroundthewound。

"Narrowsqueak。Butitwillbenothing，"hepro-

nounced。

Lieut。D\'Hubertheardthesewordswithpleasure。

Oneofhisseconds，sittingonthewetgrass，andsus-

taininghisheadonhislap，said，"Thefortuneofwar，monpauvrevieux。Whatwillyouhave?Youhadbettermakeitupliketwogoodfellows。Do!"

"Youdon\'tknowwhatyouask，"murmuredLieut。

D\'Hubert，inafeeblevoice。"However，ifhe……"

InanotherpartofthemeadowthesecondsofLieut。

Feraudwereurginghimtogooverandshakehandswithhisadversary。

"Youhavepaidhimoffnow——quediable。It\'stheproperthingtodo。ThisD\'Hubertisadecentfellow。"

"Iknowthedecencyofthesegenerals\'pets，"

mutteredLieut。Feraudthroughhisteeth，andthesombreexpressionofhisfacediscouragedfurthereffortsatreconciliation。Theseconds，bowingfromadistance，tooktheirmenoffthefield。IntheafternoonLieut。D\'Hubert，verypopularasagoodcomradeunitinggreatbraverywithafrankandequabletemper，hadmanyvisitors。ItwasremarkedthatLieut。

Ferauddidnot，asiscustomary，showhimselfmuchabroadtoreceivethefelicitationsofhisfriends。Theywouldnothavefailedhim，becausehe，too，waslikedfortheexuberanceofhissouthernnatureandthesim-

plicityofhischaracter。Inalltheplaceswhereofficerswereinthehabitofassemblingattheendofthedaytheduelofthemorningwastalkedoverfromeverypointofview。ThoughLieut。D\'Huberthadgotworstedthistime，hisswordplaywascommended。Noonecoulddenythatitwasveryclose，veryscientific。Itwasevenwhisperedthatifhegottoucheditwasbe-

causehewishedtosparehisadversary。ButbymanythevigouranddashofLieut。Feraud\'sattackwerepro-

nouncedirresistible。

Themeritsofthetwoofficersascombatantswerefranklydiscussed；buttheirattitudetoeachotheraftertheduelwascriticisedlightlyandwithcaution。Itwasirreconcilable，andthatwastoberegretted。Butafteralltheyknewbestwhatthecareoftheirhonourdictated。Itwasnotamatterfortheircomradestopryintoover-much。Astotheoriginofthequarrel，thegeneralimpressionwasthatitdatedfromthetimetheywereholdinggarrisoninStrasbourg。Themusicalsurgeonshookhisheadatthat。Itwentmuchfartherback，hethought。

"Why，ofcourse!Youmustknowthewholestory，"

criedseveralvoices，eagerwithcuriosity。"Whatwasit?"

Heraisedhiseyesfromhisglassdeliberately。"EvenifIkneweversowell，youcan\'texpectmetotellyou，sinceboththeprincipalschoosetosaynothing。"

Hegotupandwentout，leavingthesenseofmysterybehindhim。Hecouldnotstayanylonger，becausethewitchinghourofflute-playingwasdrawingnear。

Afterhehadgoneaveryyoungofficerobservedsolemnly，"Obviously，hislipsaresealed!"

Nobodyquestionedthehighcorrectnessofthatremark。Somehowitaddedtotheimpressivenessoftheaffair。Severalolderofficersofbothregiments，promptedbynothingbutsheerkindnessandloveofharmony，proposedtoformaCourtofHonour，towhichthetwoyoungmenwouldleavethetaskoftheirreconciliation。Unfortunatelytheybeganbyapproach-

ingLieut。Feraud，ontheassumptionthat，havingjustscoredheavily，hewouldbefoundplacableanddisposedtomoderation。

Thereasoningwassoundenough。Nevertheless，themoveturnedoutunfortunate。Inthatrelaxationofmoralfibre，whichisbroughtaboutbytheeaseofsoothedvanity，Lieut。Feraudhadcondescendedinthesecretofhishearttoreviewthecase，andevenhadcometodoubtnotthejusticeofhiscause，buttheabsolutesagacityofhisconduct。Thisbeingso，hewasdis-

inclinedtotalkaboutit。Thesuggestionoftheregi-

mentalwisemenputhiminadifficultposition。Hewasdisgustedatit，andthisdisgust，byaparadoxicallogic，reawakenedhisanimosityagainstLieut。D\'Hu-

bert。Washetobepesteredwiththisfellowforever——

thefellowwhohadaninfernalknackofgettingroundpeoplesomehow?Andyetitwasdifficulttorefusepointblankthatmediationsanctionedbythecodeofhonour。

Hemetthedifficultybyanattitudeofgrimreserve。

Hetwistedhismoustacheandusedvaguewords。Hiscasewasperfectlyclear。HewasnotashamedtostateitbeforeaproperCourtofHonour，neitherwasheafraidtodefenditontheground。Hedidnotseeanyreasontojumpatthesuggestionbeforeascertain-

inghowhisadversarywaslikelytotakeit。

Laterintheday，hisexasperationgrowinguponhim，hewasheardinapublicplacesayingsardonically，"thatitwouldbetheveryluckiestthingforLieut。D\'Hubert，becausethenexttimeofmeetingheneednothopetogetoffwiththemeretrifleofthreeweeksinbed。"

ThisboastfulphrasemighthavebeenpromptedbythemostprofoundMachiavellism。Southernnaturesoftenhide，undertheoutwardimpulsivenessofactionandspeech，acertainamountofastuteness。

Lieut。Feraud，mistrustingthejusticeofmen，bynomeansdesiredaCourtofHonour；andtheabovewords，accordingsowellwithhistemperament，hadalsothemeritofservinghisturn。Whethermeantsoornot，theyfoundtheirwayinlessthanfour-and-twentyhoursintoLieut。D\'Hubert\'sbedroom。InconsequenceLieut。D\'Hubert，sittingproppedupwithpillows，re-

ceivedtheoverturesmadetohimnextdaybythestate-

mentthattheaffairwasofanaturewhichcouldnotbeardiscussion。

Thepalefaceofthewoundedofficer，hisweakvoicewhichhehadyettousecautiously，andthecourteousdignityofhistonehadagreateffectonhishearers。

ReportedoutsideallthisdidmorefordeepeningthemysterythanthevapouringsofLieut。Feraud。Thislastwasgreatlyrelievedattheissue。Hebegantoenjoythestateofgeneralwonder，andwaspleasedtoaddtoitbyassuminganattitudeoffiercediscretion。

ThecolonelofLieut。D\'Hubert\'sregimentwasagrey-haired，weather-beatenwarrior，whotookasimpleviewofhisresponsibilities。"Ican\'t，"hesaidtohim-

self，"letthebestofmysubalternsgetdamagedlikethisfornothing。Imustgettothebottomofthisaffairprivately。Hemustspeakoutifthedevilwereinit。

Thecolonelshouldbemorethanafathertotheseyoungsters。"Andindeedhelovedallhismenwithasmuchaffectionasafatherofalargefamilycanfeelforeveryindividualmemberofit。IfhumanbeingsbyanoversightofProvidencecameintotheworldasmerecivilians，theywerebornagainintoaregimentasin-

fantsarebornintoafamily，anditwasthatmilitarybirthalonewhichcounted。

AtthesightofLieut。D\'Hubertstandingbeforehimverybleachedandhollow-eyedtheheartoftheoldwarriorfeltapangofgenuinecompassion。Allhisaffectionfortheregiment——thatbodyofmenwhichheheldinhishandtolaunchforwardanddrawback，whoministeredtohisprideandcommandedallhisthoughts——seemedcentredforamomentonthepersonofthemostpromisingsubaltern。Heclearedhisthroatinathreateningmanner，andfrownedterribly。"Youmustunderstand，"hebegan，"thatIdon\'tcarearapforthelifeofasinglemanintheregiment。Iwouldsendtheeighthundredandforty-threeofyoumenandhorsesgallopingintothepitofperditionwithnomorecom-

punctionthanIwouldkillafly!"

"Yes，Colonel。Youwouldberidingatourhead，"

saidLieut。D\'Hubertwithawansmile。

Thecolonel，whofelttheneedofbeingverydiplo-

matic，fairlyroaredatthis。"Iwantyoutoknow，Lieut。D\'Hubert，thatIcouldstandasideandseeyouallridingtoHadesifneedbe。Iamamantodoeventhatifthegoodoftheserviceandmydutytomycountryrequireditfromme。Butthat\'sunthinkable，sodon\'tyouevenhintatsuchathing。"Heglaredawfully，buthistonesoftened。"There\'ssomemilkyetaboutthatmoustacheofyours，myboy。Youdon\'tknowwhatamanlikemeiscapableof。Iwouldhidebehindahaystackif……Don\'tgrinatme，sir!

Howdareyou?IfthiswerenotaprivateconversationIwould……Lookhere!Iamresponsiblefortheproperexpenditureoflivesundermycommandforthegloryofourcountryandthehonouroftheregiment。

Doyouunderstandthat?Well，then，whatthedevildoyoumeanbylettingyourselfbespittedlikethisbythatfellowofthe7thHussars?It\'ssimplydisgraceful!"

Lieut。D\'Hubertfeltvexedbeyondmeasure。Hisshouldersmovedslightly。Hemadenootheranswer。

Hecouldnotignorehisresponsibility。

Thecolonelveiledhisglanceandloweredhisvoicestillmore。"It\'sdeplorable!"hemurmured。Andagainhechangedhistone。"Come!"hewenton，persuasively，butwiththatnoteofauthoritywhichdwellsinthethroatofagoodleaderofmen，"thisaffairmustbesettled。Idesiretobetoldplainlywhatitisallabout。Idemand，asyourbestfriend，toknow。"

Thecompellingpowerofauthority，thepersuasiveinfluenceofkindness，affectedpowerfullyamanjustrisenfromabedofsickness。Lieut。D\'Hubert\'shand，whichgraspedtheknobofastick，trembledslightly。

Buthisnortherntemperament，sentimentalyetcautiousandclear-sighted，too，initsidealisticway，checkedhisimpulsetomakeacleanbreastofthewholedeadlyabsurdity。Accordingtothepreceptoftranscendentalwisdom，heturnedhistongueseventimesinhismouthbeforehespoke。Hemadethenonlyaspeechofthanks。

Thecolonellistened，interestedatfirst，thenlookedmystified。Atlasthefrowned。"Youhesitate?——

milletonnerres!Haven\'tItoldyouthatIwillcon-

descendtoarguewithyou——asafriend?"

"Yes，Colonel!"answeredLieut。D\'Hubert，gently。

"ButIamafraidthatafteryouhaveheardmeoutasafriendyouwilltakeactionasmysuperiorofficer。"

Theattentivecolonelsnappedhisjaws。"Well，whatofthat?"hesaid，frankly。"Isitsodamnablydisgraceful?"

"Itisnot，"negativedLieut。D\'Hubert，inafaintbutfirmvoice。

"Ofcourse，Ishallactforthegoodoftheservice。

Nothingcanpreventmedoingthat。WhatdoyouthinkIwanttobetoldfor?"

"Iknowitisnotfromidlecuriosity，"protestedLieut。D\'Hubert。"Iknowyouwillactwisely。Butwhataboutthegoodfameoftheregiment?"

"Itcannotbeaffectedbyanyyouthfulfollyofalieutenant，"saidthecolonel，severely。

"No。Itcannotbe。Butitcanbebyeviltongues。

Itwillbesaidthatalieutenantofthe4thHussars，afraidofmeetinghisadversary，ishidingbehindhiscolonel。Andthatwouldbeworsethanhidingbehindahaystack——forthegoodoftheservice。Icannotaffordtodothat，Colonel。"

"Nobodywoulddaretosayanythingofthekind，"

beganthecolonelveryfiercely，butendedthephraseonanuncertainnote。ThebraveryofLieut。D\'Hubertwaswellknown。Butthecolonelwaswellawarethattheduellingcourage，thesinglecombatcourage，isrightlyorwronglysupposedtobecourageofaspecialsort。Anditwaseminentlynecessarythatanofficerofhisregimentshouldpossesseverykindofcourage——andproveit，too。Thecolonelstuckouthislowerlip，andlookedfarawaywithapeculiarglazedstare。Thiswastheexpressionofhisperplexity——anexpressionpracti-

callyunknowntohisregiment；forperplexityisasenti-

mentwhichisincompatiblewiththerankofcolonelofcavalry。Thecolonelhimselfwasovercomebytheunpleasantnoveltyofthesensation。Ashewasnotaccustomedtothinkexceptonprofessionalmattersconnectedwiththewelfareofmenandhorses，andtheproperusethereofonthefieldofglory，hisintellectualeffortsdegeneratedintomerementalrepetitionsofpro-

fanelanguage。"Milletonnerres!……Sacrenomdenom……"hethought。

Lieut。D\'Hubertcoughedpainfully，andaddedinawearyvoice:"TherewillbeplentyofeviltonguestosaythatI\'vebeencowed。AndIamsureyouwillnotexpectmetopassthatover。Imayfindmyselfsuddenlywithadozenduelsonmyhandsinsteadofthisoneaffair。"

Thedirectsimplicityofthisargumentcamehometothecolonel\'sunderstanding。Helookedathissubordi-

natefixedly。"Sitdown，Lieutenant!"hesaid，gruffly。

"Thisistheverydevilofa……Sitdown!"

"MonColonel，"D\'Hubertbeganagain，"Iamnotafraidofeviltongues。There\'sawayofsilencingthem。

Butthere\'smypeaceofmind，too。Iwouldn\'tbeabletoshakeoffthenotionthatI\'veruinedabrotherofficer。

Whateveractionyoutake，itisboundtogofarther。

Theinquiryhasbeendropped——letitrestnow。ItwouldhavebeenabsolutelyfataltoFeraud。"

"Hey!What!Didhebehavesobadly?"

"Yes。Itwasprettybad，"mutteredLieut。D\'Hubert。

Beingstillveryweak，hefeltadispositiontocry。

Astheothermandidnotbelongtohisownregimentthecolonelhadnodifficultyinbelievingthis。Hebegantopaceupanddowntheroom。Hewasagoodchief，amancapableofdiscreetsympathy。Buthewashumaninotherways，too，andthisbecameapparentbecausehewasnotcapableofartifice。