Chapter 13 - Page 2

spot anywhere visible, or without
the faintest indication of thunder, seemed to hang heavily over the
earth, and soon began, by the force of the wind, to split into streamers,
like a huge sheet torn to shreds. Large and warm drops of rain began to
fall heavily, and gathered the dust into globules, which rolled along the
ground. At the same time, the hedges, which seemed conscious of the
approaching storm, the thirsty plants, the drooping branches of the
trees, exhaled a thousand aromatic odors, which revived in the mind
tender recollections, thoughts of youth, endless life, happiness, and
love. "How fresh the earth smells," said De Wardes; "it is a piece of
coquetry to draw us to her."

"By the by," replied De Guiche, "several ideas have just occurred to me;
and I wish to have your opinion upon them."

"Relative to - "

"Relative to our engagement."

"It is quite some time, in fact, that we should begin to arrange matters."

"Is it to be an ordinary combat, and conducted according to established
custom?"

"Let me first know what your established custom is."

"That we dismount in any particular open space that may suit us, fasten
our horses to the nearest object, meet, each without our pistols in our
hands, and afterwards retire for a hundred and fifty paces, in order to
advance on each other."

"Very good; that is precisely the way in which I killed poor Follivent,
three weeks ago, at Saint-Denis."

"I beg your pardon, but you forgot one circumstance."

"What is that?"

"That in your duel with Follivent you advanced towards each other on
foot, your swords between your teeth, and your pistols in your hands."

"True."

"While now, on the contrary, as you cannot walk, you yourself admit that
we shall have to mount our horses again, and charge; and the first who
wishes to fire will do so."

"That is the best course, no doubt; but it is quite dark; we must make
allowances for more missed
shots than would be the case in the daytime."

"Very well; each will fire three times; the pair of pistols already
loaded, and one reload."

"Excellent! Where shall our engagement take place?"

"Have you any preference?"

"No."

"You see that small wood which lies before us?"

"The wood which is called Rochin?"

"Exactly."

"You know it?"

"Perfectly."

"You know that there is an open glade in the center?"

"Yes."

"Well, this glade is admirably adapted for such a purpose, with a variety
of roads, by-places, paths, ditches, windings, and avenues. We could not
find a better spot."

"I am perfectly satisfied, if you are so. We are at our destination, if
I am