"
"They do not, but their mistresses do, and I cannot think that they
are still sleeping. No, I am convinced they have risen early, and
are now standing behind their maids, and watching us go by. In this
street dwell those who call themselves society; they were at the
castle yesterday, and know of this duel. I think our good marquise
will one day reward me richly for this duel, when I tell her I stood
behind the queen and cracked nuts like a gamin in Paris, and that I
was shot at because of the nutshells. She will laugh tears--tears
which I will strive to convert into diamonds for myself."
"You feel assured that you will return unharmed from this duel?"
"Yes, I cannot doubt it. I always won the prize at our pistol-
shooting in Paris, and then, this stupid Dutchman is, without doubt,
horrified at the thought of shooting at a man, and not at a mark.
No, vraiment, I do not doubt but I shall be victorious, and I
rejoice in anticipation of that dejeuner dinatoire with which my
friends will celebrate it."
"But," said his second, "let us for a moment suppose that you are
not victorious; one must ever be prepared in this poor world, ruled
by accident, for the worst that can befall.
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