of light as an ordinary street lamp.

"We will dig the grave in that corner," observed he; "and when it is
filled in, we can cover it with that heap of stones over there."

He threw off his great coat, and, handing a spade to Croisenois, took
another himself, repeating firmly the words,--

"To work! To work!"

Croisenois would have toiled all night before he could have completed
the task, but the muscles of the Duke were hardened by his former
laborious life, and in forty minutes all was ready.

"That will do," said Norbert, exchanging his spade for a sword. "Take
your guard."

Croisenois, however, did not immediately obey. Impressible by nature, he
felt a cold shiver run through his frame; the dark night, the flickering
lantern, and all these preparations, made in so cold-blooded a manner,
affected his nerves. The grave, with its yawning mouth, fascinated him.

"Well," said Norbert impatiently, "are you not ready?"

"I will speak," exclaimed De Croisenois, driven to desperation. "In a
few minutes one of us will be lying dead on this spot. In the presence
of death a man's words are to be relied on. Listen to me. I swear to
you, on my honor and by all my hopes of future salvation, that the
Duchess de Champdoce is entirely free from guilt."

"You have said that before; why repeat it again?"

"Because it is my duty; because I am thinking that, if I die, it will
be my insane passions that have caused the ruin of one of the best and
purest women in the world. I entreat you to believe that she has nothing
to repent of. See, I am not ashamed to descend to entreaty. Let my
death, if you kill me, be an expiation for everything. Be gentle with
your wife; and if you survive me, do not make her life one prolonged
existence of agony."

"Silence, or I shall look upon you as a dastard," returned Norbert
fiercely.

"Miserable fool!" said De Croisenois. "On guard, then, and may heaven
decide the issue!"

There was a sharp clash as their swords crossed, and the combat began
with intense vigor.

The space upon which the rays of the lantern cast a glimmering and
uncertain light was but a small one; and while one of the combatants
was in complete shade the other was in the light, and exposed to thrusts
which he could not see. This was fatal to Croisenois, and, as he took
a step forward, Norbert made a fierce lunge which pierced him to the
heart.

The unfortunate man threw up his arms above his head; his sword escaping
f