llinot, and asked that a time be fixed for
the hearing of his case.

"This day fortnight at ten of the clock before noon," Collinot said in
his decisive, military manner.

Lecour saluted and retired, and the Adjutant wrote a notice for de Lery
to prepare his counter-proof.

Both sides entered into the contest with the utmost activity.

Germain's party gave him a banquet, whereat he, crowned with honours and
elated by the surrounding enthusiasm, made an oration which sent all
those present forth after the festivity to spread again the burning
conviction of his stainless honour and of the shameful conduct of his
enemies. It was all a desperate game, as he knew perfectly well. But the
stake was high--the object of his life--Cyrene.

Louis de Lery immediately sent to de Lotbiniere the notice he received
from Collinot. The measures of the Marquis were varied and vigorous.

First he took the Record with him, and travelled posthaste to Chalons,
where he asked de Lery to take him to their relative, de Villerai.

"You are the man to present this, my dear Villerai," said he. "Being in
this distinguished corps, you have an influence to which none of the
rest of us can pretend. I leave the papers in your hands. You have
merely to hand them to the Prince de Poix or Adjutant Collinot to secure
absolutely the obliteration of that _canaille_."

"Certainly, certainly. Leave them with me. They shall be perfectly safe
in my possession. Believe me, dear de Lotbiniere, I shall do everything
excellently for you."

De Lotbiniere, reading the easy-going face of the bluff epicurean in
uniform, said to himself, "If it required any brains I could not trust
you."

The Record was therefore left in de Villerai's charge.

De Lotbiniere next went to Paris and wrote to Collinot, stating that de
Villerai would be on hand on the day appointed, prepared to present the
de Lery side of the case. He furthermore wrote to the Count de
Vaudreuil, reminding him of the Canadian connections of his family, and
invoking his exalted interest at Court against the intruder upon their
social rights. The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in a
letter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during their
interview some months before.

These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting the
outbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the _parvenu_.
Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.

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