Leander let the curtain drop, so as not to be seen by the marquis, who
was almost grazed by the carriage wheels as they rolled by him, and a
satisfied smile played round his lips; he was revenged--the beating was
atoned for now.
The place selected for the hostile meeting between the Baron de Sigognac
and the Duke of Vallombreuse was sheltered from the cold north wind by
a high wall, which also screened the combatants from the observation of
those passing along the road. The ground was firm, well trodden down,
without stones, tufts of grass, or inequalities of any kind, which might
be in the way of the swordsmen, and offered every facility to men of
honour to murder each other after the most correct and approved fashion.
The Duke of Vallombreuse and the Chevalier de Vidalinc, followed by a
surgeon, arrived at the rendezvous only a few seconds after the others,
and the four gentlemen saluted each other with the haughty courtesy and
frigid politeness becoming to well-bred men meeting for such a purpose.
The duke's countenance was expressive of the most careless indifference,
as he felt perfect confidence in his own courage and skill. The baron
was equally cool and collected, though it was his first duel, and a
little nervousness or agitation would have been natural and excusable.
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