THE next day, or rather the same day, at ten o’clock, I called upon M. Louis de Franchi.  
As I was ascending¹ the staircase, I met two young men coming down. One was evidently a civilian², the other wore the Legion of Honour, and though in mufti I could see he was an officer.
 
I had, no doubt, that these gentlemen had just been with M. de Franchi, and I watched them downstairs. Then I continued my way to Louis’ apartments and rang the bell.
 
The servant opened the door. His master was in his study.
 
When the man announced me, Louis, who was writing, looked up and exclaimed—
 
“Ah, welcome! I was just writing to you. I am very glad to see you. Joseph, I am not at home to any one.”
 
The servant went out and left us alone.
 
“Didn’t you meet two gentlemen upon the stairs?” asked Louis, as he placed a chair.
 
“Yes, one of them was decorated.”
 
“The same.”
 
“I fancied they had called upon you.”
 
“You are quite right.”
 
“Did they come on behalf of M. de Chateau³ Renaud?”
 
“They are his seconds.”
 
“Ah! so he has taken this matter seriously it seems.”
 
“He could scarcely do otherwise,” replied Louis.
 
“So they came to——.”
 
“To request me to name two friends who would confer with them; I thought of you.”
 
“I am really honoured by your kindness. But I cannot go alone.”
 
“I have also written to ask an old friend, the Baron⁴ Giordano Martelli, to breakfast here. He will come at eleven. We will breakfast together, and at twelve, perhaps, you will be kind enough to go and see these gentlemen who have promised to remain at home until three o’clock. Here are their names and addresses.”
 
Louis handed me two cards as he spoke⁵.
 
One card represented the Baron René de Chateaugrand, the other M. Adrien de Boissy.
 
The former lived in the Rue⁶ de la Paix, No. 12.
 
The latter, who I now saw, belonged to the army, was a lieutenant⁷ of Chasseurs d’Afrique, and lived in the Rue de Lille, No. 29.
 
I turned the cards over and over in my fingers.
 
“Well, what embarrasses you?” asked Louis.
 
“I should like to be told frankly⁸ if you look upon this as a serious matter. You know we must mould our conduct upon that.”
 
“Indeed, I do consider it a very serious matter. You heard me place myself at M. de Chateau Renaud’s disposal, he has sent to me. I must now go with the current.”
 
“Yes, of course, but after all——”
 
“Go on,” said Louis, smilingly.
 
“After all,” I continued, “we must know what you are going to fight for. We cannot put two men up to cut and slash⁹ each other without having some ground for the encounter.”
 
“Very well, let me tell you in as few words as possible, the head and front of the offending.
 
“When I first arrived in Paris I was introduced by a friend of mine, a captain in the navy, to his wife. She was young and beautiful. She made a deep impression upon me, and as I was really afraid I might end by falling in love with her, I very rarely went to my friend’s house, although frequently pressed to do so.
 
“My friend was rather piqued¹⁰ at my absence, and at last I frankly told him the truth, that his wife being so charming I was rather afraid to go to his house. He laughed, shook hands with me, and asked me, even pressed me, to dine with him that same evening.
 
“ ‘My dear Louis,’ said he, after dinner. ‘In a few weeks I shall sail for Mexico. I may be absent three months, perhaps six—or longer. We sailors sometimes know when we shall sail, but never when we may return. To you, I commend Emily during my absence. Emily, I beg of you to look upon M. Louis de Franchi as a brother.’
 
“The lady gave me her hand in token of agreement. I was stupefied! I did not know what to say, and I daresay I appeared very stupid to my future sister.
 
“Three weeks after this my friend sailed.
 
“During those three weeks he insisted that I should dine at least once a week with them en famille.
 
“Emily’s mother then came to live with her. I need scarcely say that her husband’s confidence was not abused, and though I loved her dearly I regarded her simply as a sister.
 
“Six months elapsed.
 
“Emily’s mother still remained with her, but when he went away, her husband had entreated¹¹ her to receive as usual. There was nothing my poor friend had a greater horror of than to appear as a jealous husband. He adored Emily and had every confidence in her.
 
“So Emily continued to receive, and they were very friendly receptions. But her mother’s presence silenced all scandal or cause for it, and no one could say a word against her reputation.
 
“At the end of three ............