CHAPTER XXXI.
HOW TWO FRIENDS BECAME ENEMIES.
Aldegonde, however, had gone to fetch the guard; but before she returnedthey had had time to light a fire with the first numbers, and werethrowing them in, one after another, as quickly as possible, when theguard appeared, followed by a crowd of ragged men, women, and boys.
Happily, Philippe and Charny knew Reteau's secret exit, so when theycaught sight of the guard they made their escape through it, carryingthe key with them.
Then Reteau began crying "Murder!" while Aldegonde, seeing the flamesthrough the window, cried "Fire!"
The soldiers arrived, but finding the young men gone, and the house noton fire, went away again, leaving Reteau to bathe his bruises. But thecrowd lingered about all day, hoping to see a renewal of the fun.
When Taverney and Charny found themselves in the Rue Vieux Augustins,"Monsieur," said Charny, "now we have finished that business, can I beof any use to you?"
"Thanks, sir, I was about to ask you the same question."
"Thank you, but I have private business which will probably keep me inParis all day."
"Permit me, then, to take leave of you; I am happy to have met you."
"And I you, sir;" and the two young men bowed, but it was easy to seethat all this courtesy went no further than the lips.
Philippe went towards the boulevards, while Charny turned to the river;each turned two or three times till he thought himself quite out ofsight, but after walking for some time Charny entered the Rue Neuve St.Gilles, and there once more found himself face to face with Philippe.
Each had again the same idea of demanding satisfaction from the Count deCagliostro. They could not now doubt each other's intentions, soPhilippe said:
"I left you the seller, leave me the buyer; I left you the cane, leaveme the sword."
"Sir," replied Charny, "you left it to me simply because I came first,and for no other reason."
"Well," replied Taverney, "here we arrive both together, and I will makeno concession."
"I did not ask you for any, sir; only I will defend my right."
"And that, according to you, M. de Charny, is to make M. de Cagliostroburn his thousand copies."
"Remember, sir, that it was my idea to burn the others."
"Then I will have these torn."
"Monsieur, I am sorry to tell you that I wish to have the first turnwith M. de Cagliostro."
"All that I can agree to, sir, is to take our chance. I will throw up alouis, and whoever guesses right shall be first."
"Thanks, sir, but I am not generally lucky, and should probably lose,"and he stepped towards the door.
Charny stopped him.
"Stay, sir, we will soon understand each other."
"Well, sir?" answered Philippe, turning back.
"Then, before asking satisfaction of M. de Cagliostro, suppose we take aturn in the Bois de Boulogne: it will be out of our way, but perhaps wecan settle our dispute there. One of us will probably be left behind,and the other be uninterrupted."
"Really, monsieur," said Philippe, "you echo my own thoughts--whereshall we meet?"
"Well, if my society be not insupportable to you, we need not part. Iordered my carriage to wait for me in the Place Royale, close by here."
"Then you will give me a seat?" said Philippe.
"With the greatest pleasure;" and they walked together to the carriage,and getting in, set off for the Champs Elysees.
First, however, Charny wrote a few words on his tablets, and gave themto the footman to take to his hotel.
In less than half an hour they reached the Bois de Boulogne. The weatherwas lovely, and the air delightful, although the power of the sun wasalready felt: the fresh leaves were appearing on the trees, and theviolets filled the place with their perfume.
"It is a fine day for our promenade, is it not, M. de Taverney?" saidCharny.
"Beautiful, sir."
"You may go," said Charny to his coachman.
"Are you not wrong, sir, to send away your carriage?--one of us may needit."
"No, sir," replied Charny; "in this affair secrecy before everything,and once in the knowledge of a servant, we risk it being talked of allover Paris to-morrow."
"As you please, but do you think the fellow does not know what he camehere for? These people know well what brings two gentlemen to the Boisde Boulogne, and even if he did not feel sure now, he will perhapsafterwards see one of us wounded, and will have no doubts left then. Isit not then better to keep him here to take back either who shall needhim, than to be left, or leave me here, wounded and alone?"
"You are right, monsieur," replied Charny; and, turning to the coachman,he said, "No, stop, Dauphin; you shall wait here."
Dauphin remained accordingly, and as he perfectly guessed what wascoming, he arranged his position, so as to see through the stillleafless trees all that passed.
They walked on a little way, then Philippe said, "I think, M. de Charny,this is a good place."
"Excellent, monsieur," said Charny, and added: "Chevalier, if it wereany one but you, I would say one word of courtesy, and we were friendsagain; but to you, coming from America, where they fight so well, Icannot."
"And I, sir, to you, who the other evening gained the admiration of anentire court by a glorious feat of arms, can only say, M. le Comte, dome the honor to draw your sword."
"Monsieur," said Charny, "I believe we have neither of us touched on thereal cause of quarrel."
"I do not understand you, comte."
"Oh! you understand me perfectly, sir; and you blush while you deny it."
"Defend yourself," cried Philippe; their swords crossed. Philippe soonperceived that he was superior to his adversary, and therefore became ascalm as though he had been only fencing, and was satisfied withdefending himself without attacking.
"You spare me, sir," said Charny; "may I ask why?"
Philippe went on as before; Charny grew warm, and wished to provoke himfrom this sang froid, therefore he said:
"I told you, sir, that we had not touched on the real cause of thequarrel."
Philippe did not reply.
"The true cause," continued Charny, "why you sought a quarrel, for itwas you who sought it, was, that you were jealous of me."
Still Philippe remained silent.
"What is your intention?" again said Charny. "Do you wish to tire myarm? that is a calculation unworthy of you. Kill me if you can, but donot dally thus."
"Yes, sir," replied Philippe at last, "your reproach is just; thequarrel did begin with me, and I was wrong."
"That is not the question now. You have your sword in your hand; use itfor something more than mere defense."
"Monsieur," said Philippe, "I have the honor to tell you once more I waswrong, and that I apologize."
But Charny was by this time too excited to appreciate the generosity ofhis adversary. "Oh!" said he, "I understand; you wish to play themagnanimous with me; that is it, is it not, chevalier? You wish torelate to the ladies this evening how you brought me here, and thenspared my life."
"Count," said Philippe, "I fear you are losing your senses."
"You wish to kill M. de Cagliostro to please the queen; and, for thesame reason, you wish to turn me into ridicule."
"Ah! this is too much," cried Philippe, "and proves to me that you havenot as generous a heart as I thought."
"Pierce it then," cried Charny, exposing himself as Philippe madeanother pass.
The sword glanced along his ribs, and the blood flowed rapidly.
"At last," cried Charny, "I am wounded. Now I may kill you if I can."
"Decidedly," said Philippe, "you are mad. You will not kill me--you willonly be disabled without cause, and without profit; for no one will everknow for what you have fought;" and as Charny made another pass, hedexterously sent his sword flying from his hand; then, seizing it, hebroke it across his foot. "M. de Charny," said he, "you did not requireto prove to me that you were brave; you must therefore d
etest me verymuch when you fight with such fury."
Charny did not reply, but grew visibly pale, and then tottered.
Philippe advanced to support him, but he repulsed him, saying, "I canreach my carriage."
"At least take this handkerchief to stop the blood."
"Willingly."
"And my arm, sir; at the least obstacle you met you would fall, and giveyourself unnecessary pain."
"The sword has only penetrated the skin. I hope soon to be well."
"So much the better, sir; but I warn you, that you will find itdifficult to make me your adversary again."
Charny tried to reply, but the words died on his lips. He staggered, andPhilippe had but just time to catch him in his arms, and bear him halffainting to his carriage.
Dauphin, who had seen what had passed, advanced to meet him, and theyput Charny in.
"Drive slowly," said Philippe, who then took his way back to Paris,murmuring to himself, with a sigh, "She will pity him."