him his full attention. Then, the address
finished, he sealed the letter, and turned around.

"Well," he asked, "is everything arranged?"

"Yes," said the Englishman, "it was an easy matter. You are dealing with
a true gentleman."

"So much the better!" exclaimed Roland, waiting.

"You will fight two hours hence by the fountain of Vaucluse--a charming
spot--with pistols, advancing to each other, each to fire as he pleases
and continuing to advance after his adversary's fire."

"By my faith! you are right, Sir John. That is, indeed, excellent. Did
you arrange that?"

"I and M. de Barjols' second, your adversary having renounced his rights
of the insulted party."

"Have you decided upon the weapons?"

"I offered my pistols. They were accepted on my word of honor that you
were as unfamiliar with them as was M. de Barjols. They are excellent
weapons. I can cut a bullet on a knife blade at twenty paces."

"Peste! You are a good shot, it would seem, my lord."

"Yes, I am said to be the best shot in England."

"That is a good thing to know. When I wish to be killed, Sir John, I'll
pick a quarrel with you."

"Oh! don't pick a quarrel with me," said the Englishman, "it would
grieve me too much to have to fight you."

"We will try, my lord, not to cause you such grief. So it is settled
then, in two hours."

"Yes, you told me you were in a hurry."

"Precisely. How far is it to this charming spot?"

"From here to Vaucluse?"

"Yes."

"Twelve miles."

"A matter of an hour and a half. We have no time to lose, so let us rid
ourselves of troublesome things in order to have nothing but pleasure
before us."

The Englishman looked at the young man in astonishment. Roland did not
seem to pay any attention to this look.

"Here are three letters," said he; "one for Madame de Montrevel, my
mother; one for Mlle. de Montrevel, my sister; one for the citizen,
Bonaparte, my general. If I am killed you will simply put them in the
post. Will that be too much trouble?"

"Should that misfortune occur, I will deliver your letters myself," said
the Englishman. "Where do your mother and sister live?"

"At Bourg, the capital of the Department of Ain."

"That is near here," observed the Englishman. "As for General Bonaparte,
I will go to Egypt if necessary. I should be extremely pleased to meet
General Bonaparte."

"If you take the trouble, as you say, my lord, of delivering my letters
yourself, you will not have to travel