"Good heavens!" I e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.
"He slowly approached my bed. I raised myself with my elbow, and said, "You are welcome, father."
"He came close, and regarded me fixedly, and it then appeared to me as if some sort of paternal solicitude was expressed in his face."
"Go on," I said; "this is terrible!"
"Then his lips moved, and, though I could hear no sound, I seemed to hear his words distinctly, though distant as an echo."
"What did he say?"
""Think of G.o.d, my son!"
""I shall be killed in this duel, then?" I asked.
"I saw the tears roll down the pallid visage of the spectre.
""And at what hour?"
"He pointed towards the timepiece. I followed the direction of his finger. The clock showed ten minutes past nine.
""So be it, my father," I said; "G.o.d"s will be done. I leave my mother, but I rejoin you."
"Then a faint smile pa.s.sed over his face, he waved me a sign of farewell and glided away.
"The door opened as he advanced towards it, and when he had disappeared it shut of its own accord."
This recital was so simply and so naturally told, that it was evident to me the event had occurred just as de Franchi had related it, or he was the victim of an illusion, which he had believed to be real in consequence of the pre-occupation of his mind, and was therefore all the more terrible.
I wiped the perspiration from my forehead.
"Now," continued Louis; "you know my brother, don"t you?"
"Yes."
"What do you think he will do when he learns that I have been killed in a duel?"
"He will leave Sullacaro at once to challenge the man who has killed you."
"Just so, and if he is killed in his turn, my mother will be thrice a widow; widowed by the loss of her husband, widowed by the loss of her two sons."
"Ah! I understand. This is fearful!"
"Well, this must be avoided, and that is why I have written this letter. Believing that I have died from brain fever my brother will not seek to avenge me, and my mother will be the more easily consoled, knowing it was the will of G.o.d, and that I did not fall by the hand of man. At least----"
"At least what?" I repeated.
"Oh, nothing," replied Louis. "I hope that will not come to pa.s.s."
I saw that he was referring to some personal fear, and I did not insist farther.
At this moment the door opened, and the Baron de Giordano entered.
"My dear de Franchi," he said, "I respect your privacy more than anything, but it is past eight, and the meeting is appointed for nine; we have quite a league and a half to drive, and we should start at once."
"I am ready, my dear fellow," said Louis. "I have told my friend here all I had to say to him."
He put his finger on his lips as our eyes met.
"For you, my friend," he continued, turning to the table and taking up a sealed letter, "there is this; if anything should happen to me read this letter, and I pray you to carry out my request contained in it."
"To the very letter," replied the Baron.
"You were to provide the arms," said Louis.
"Yes," I replied, "but just as I was coming away I found that one of the dogs did not bark properly, so we shall be obliged to get a case of pistols from Devisme."
Louis looked at me, smiled, and held out his hand. He knew quite well that I did not wish to see him killed with my pistols.
"Have you a carriage?" he asked; "if not I will send Joseph for one."
"My coupe is here," said the Baron, "and can carry three at a pinch; besides, my horses will take us more quickly than a _fiacre._"
"Let us go," said Louis.
We went downstairs. Joseph was waiting at the door.
"Shall I accompany you, sir?" he said.
"No, Joseph," replied his master, "I shall not require your services to-day."
Then, stepping back a pace and pressing a roll of gold into the man"s hand, he said, "Take this, and if at any time I have appeared brusque to you, pardon my ill-humour."
"Oh, monsieur!" said Joseph, with tears in his eyes, "what is the meaning of this?"
"Chut!" said Louis, and he sprang into the carriage.
"He is a good servant," he murmured, "and if either of you can ever be of use to him I shall be obliged."
"Is he about to leave you?" said the Baron.
"No," said Louis, smiling; "I am leaving him, that is all!"
We stopped at Devismes just long enough to secure a case of pistols, powder and bullets, and then resumed our way at a brisk trot.
CHAPTER XVII.