Puck — December 19, 1877 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

12 PUCK. “Yes, in defending her honor. It is thus, monsieur: rightly or wrongly, I have the impression upon my mind ae I should be wanting in courage to support my cousin’s honor if I refused thischallenge; and so, rightly or wrongly, I will fight, and abide the conse- quences.”” René sighed. If the knowledge of her love would have prevented the meeting, she would there and then have flung away her mask, and without reserve have told that she loved him. She sat_ still, thinking of “the situation.” To undeceive de Gaillefontaine at the last moment, and command him to drop his sword, was one way of saving her cousin. But she rejected this scheme in favor of another, which accorded more with her heart's desire and the romantic disposition of her nature. “If you are strong enough to walk,” said | Hugh, breaking the silence, “we will move from here. ‘The grass is damp; it is not of much importance to ine in the present position of affairs, but a cold might be inconvenient to you." ‘They rose, and René said, speaking now with perfect calmness: ‘ You asked me to be your second. i” “Yes; but if you are nervous—" René laughed. “Tam not nervous. Sudden excitement af- fects me always with weakness; but I recover and feel it no more. I will be your second. At what time do you meet ?” “ At six, by the boat-house.” “Where is your rapier?” “Here it is; but I don’t know what kind of skewer it is. These theatrical swords are not very dependable weapons of defense, but I suppose it is good enough.” He drewit. “ Per- haps you know something of these things; what sort of blade is it?” René took it in her hand, looked along its edge critically, and then setting the point upon the gravel, leant upon it. It snapped in half. “Now you've done it, and | shall have to find another. But it isn’t likely I should hit him hard enough to break the sword.” René drew her own rapier, and bent it with her hands. “You shall have this, monsieur, when the time comes. And now I will find this Monsieur de Gaillefontaine, and make further arrange- ments. ‘The time is going. Will you bid your cousin adieu ?” “You don’t think I should let her know, do you? I hope that if I am killed you will tie a stone about my neck and sink me in the river. We shall have time to talk about that after you have made arrangements. We must not keep monsieur waiting.” “You will find me at the boat-house,” said René, and hastened away. In the theatre she found M. de Gaillefon- taine looking for her. “I want to sce you, my Beatrice," he whis- pered; “come with me.” René accompanied him to a doge. her hand, and speaking gaily, said: “My Beatrice, you are absurdly jealous. You have avoided me. Now regard how I re- venge myself. At six o'clock 1 have a little business which will detain me for ten minutes, At that time you will have your maid ready with all your dresses and jewels. ‘This key will admit you to my apartment: there, beside my hat and my coat, you will find a little black bag; take it, and Ue careful of it. It has the wealth within it which is to keep us for the rest of our lives. In the coachyard you will find the brougham ready to depart. You will seat yourself there. join you, and together we will fly from this country; and like the little mice in the fable, live happy ever after. Now will you tell me I love this René Biron better than you, Beatrice?” He took In a very little time I shall | “No, monsieur, I can say nothing. Very likely what you tell me is the truth; but why should you tell me this? It is not what 1 have come to ask to you.” | “Pst! You irritate me, mydear. Why will you insist, at such a moment of crisis, to pre- tend you are not Beatrice? This ring betrays you!” ie You admire the ring, monsieur?” said René, holding it before him. ‘‘Sodo I. You wish to know of this ring? ZA, dien! it was given me to-night by alady. And now that I have satisfied your curiosity, you will be good enough to tell me where I shall find the friend who supports you in your affairs of honor.” M. de Gaillefontaine was as if petrified; he stared at René without moving a muscle or ut- tering a word. “T must ask you again to direct me to your friend; the time it flies,” said René. In utter bewildernient, de Gaillefontaine led the way from the éoge until they came to a knot of men engaged in whispered conversation. One stout Italian bowed as René approached; he was less perplexed by the young Spaniard. “You represent M. de Gaillefontaine ?” said René. ‘The Italian assented, and signaled to De Gaillefontaine that he was not wanted; but the Gascon had lost his habitual composure, and, fascinated by this incomprehensible Spaniard, disregarded the signal and waited. “You come from the esquire, Hugh Biron?” “No, signor; I come upon my own account. I wish to meet M. de Gaillefontaine with the rapier upon the gronnd appointed for his meet- ing with Mr. Biron. ‘The sun is rising. There will be light enough in an hour's time. Shall we say four o'clock ?”” It was difficult to say who of that group was most astonished by René’s declaration. “ You wish to meet him in person?” René bowed, and hoped she could be ac- commodated with the meeting she desired. “ May I ask your reason for this demand 2” “Gentlemen, Mr. Hugh Biron is my friend. He is utterly ignorant of fencing, and de Gail- lefontaine, knowing this, has challenged him to fight. He has accepted the challenge for six o'clock; you will see why I require the meeting immediately. Is it sufficient that I call mon- sieur a coward before you all, or shall I hit him upon the face?” ‘The Italian turned to de Gaillefontaine. He was deadly white with fury and superstitious terror. “1 will meet ten hundreds, if they are all devils!” he said. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Her heart bounding with excitement, René left the theatre, and with long strides, not out of keeping with her assumed character, made her way towards the boat-house. René was conscious of the danger to which she exposed herself in facing de Gaillefontaine, but that only served to increase her elation. She de- sired no advantage which shou'd lessen her risk, nothing which could detract from her heroism. ‘The glory of proving to Hugh that she was capable of noble generosity was before her, and she thought with pardonable pride of the exceptional position she had taken. “However the duel results I am a gainer,” thought she, “for it raises me to a level with him; and though I fall, he will see that I have risked for his life all that he could venture for my honor.” | But though the shedding of her own blood | was not without romantic charm, she prayed fervently that she might so disable de Gaille- fontaine as to prevent his engaging with Hugh. Down by the boat-house the mist from the river gave obscurity to the distance and soft- ened the light of the rising sun. All was soft gray, save the crests of the noble beeches, which, reared above the vapor, sparkled all bright’ and fresh in the level rays'as the leaves fluttered to the gentle breathing of the wind, Hugh was walking near the arbor with his hands behind him and the inseparable pipe in his lips. René, catching sight of the tall figure, broke into a little run involuntarily, was half ashamed of herself, stopped, and resumed her long stride. Love is doubled by self-sacrifice. René had not reckoned before this time how deeply dear Hugh was to her. She admitted it to herself now, and came to his side, her eyes sparkling, her ‘blood tingling, her hands coveting the touch of his. “Ah, young ’un! I was thinking what a cap- ital picture this duel would make if it hadn't been done before. I might try it with this gray morning summer light.” “Are these the gravest thoughts you have at a time when your life may be measured by minutes ?”” «The gravest I choose to talk about,” said Hugh, with a sigh. “Vulgarity, I suppose, grew out of the Latin verb to publish.” “And you will think of carrying out this suicidal intention. You will fight with mon- sieur ?”” “Of course I shall, youngster,” said he, with asigh. “We English are not a bloodthirsty race of men; but when we accept a challenge, we fight.” “Tn a good cause. But this René!” “Say no more, that’s a good boy. I have been thinking of her as I hope she is; and if I am to leave this world presently, I should like to carry the pretty image of René with me to the next.” ‘They walked some yards in silence, for the tears had sprung into Rene’s eyes, and a dia- mond-drop cut a furrow through the white paint upon her face. “Tis well I wear a mask,” thought she. “Tam thinking,” said Hugh, “about the few things I shall leave behind. Of course my cousin is heiress to that valuable property. ‘There is nothing but a few pictures, and fewer pounds. If you would be good enough to tell her my wishes, it would answer the purpose of the most elaborate will that could be concocted. I should like the boys to have all my pictures, save one!” “The boys?” “My old friends. Charlie Brock will distri- bute them, Give him my love. Here's a shake of the hand for the kind-hearted old blunderer. Halloo, laddie! what's this?” (Looking at his hand.) “Are you piping your eye? You faint- hearted little chap! You won't remember what I tell you.” “Yes, yes; it’s it's—huph! - all right!” “V'll knock it off sharp. You'll take a nick- nack out of the lot to remember me by—my easel, if you like; or wait, there’s an old browa ‘Toby that I was always fond of—have that. But there's one picture 1 want my cousin to have. It stands now upon the easel. It is a portrait of her, and I am proud of it, for it is faithful to her purity and sweetness. ‘Tell her that though I wronged her by a doubt, it was but for the minute, and that as I have painted her upon that canvas she has dwelt in my heart, and will be seen in my last moment.” He had thrown away his pipe as a thing which he should require no more, and he held René’s hand in his as he spoke, nor dropped it when he ceased. She, turning his hand, smoothed the back of it with her little palm. She could think of no better consolation that she dared offer. Uncon- scious of that mute caress, Hugh stood silent and grave, as a sense of the awful proximity to death for the first time came upon him. Asigh, a quick movement as if he were awaking from comicbooks.com