LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1752, 1 October 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

"AN AFFAIR OF HONOB." (Concluded ) A murmur of consternation rang among the officers, and several of them rose to their feet expecting that there would be a fracas. Ulric, however, sat still, merely clutohiug In a convulsive way at one of his white gloves. The insult he had received was Buob a deadly one that his pale face and his calm silence were taken to abode his determination to take a bloody revenge. An awkward silence fell upon the company, but presently Ulric spoke, reminding his guests that it was time for dinner. With a smile he drew out his watch and said : ' Gentlemen, I trust we have all good appetites. The landlord of the ' Tete de Bceuf must be waiting for us.'

The dinner at the hotel was all that could be desired, and Ulric soon set his friends at their ease by his pleasant demeanor. It must have required the highest kind of courage for a young man to bear himself thus unconoernedly on the eve of a duel whioh was bound to end in the death of one of the two combatants; but those who had seen the marquis's coolness in time of war were not much surprised at his display of the seme quality now. It was taken for granted that at the close of the dinner he would send two seconds to his enemy, and meanwhile it was but proper courtesy on his part not to let his private concerns interfere with the comfort of his guests, The dinner lasted long, for after the cloth had been removed there were toasts, and then much smoking and telling of anecdotes; then bowls of punch were brought up, and a final toast was drunk to Ulric's success in the career of marriage. An hour after midnight the party broke up, and all the officers filed before the marquis one by one to shake his hand He let all of them go out save two —a major and a captain—who were his most intimate friends. To these he made a sign, and when he was alone with them he said : "De Breme, and you, De Tarras, will you come with me to the Colonel's ? He sent me a card during dinner Ito say he would sit up for me.' ' Ah! he has heard of the affair, then. So much the better,' said Major de Breme. 'We will stand by you, Cavallon; Gospillard aoted like a brute, and wants punishing.' 'So I think, answered Ulric seriously; ' and I trust you will stand by me.' The Colonel of the regiment had been prevented from attending Ulric's dinner because he was laid up with an attack of gout. He was very fond of the marquis, and had heard with concern of the unprovokedly savage attack which Gaston de Gospillard had made on the latter. But for the feeling that there wai a petticoat at the bottom of the affair, which to some extent palliated the offence, he would have placed | the aggressor under arrest. At it was he had sent for Cavallon in order to assure him of his sympathy, and to give him the necessary permission to fight. When Ulrio and his two seconds entered they found the grizzled old gentleman nursing his leg on a rest and smoking a pipe to kill time. He was not an intellectual warrior, and it never occurred to him to read by way of making dull minutes pass. 'I am sorry for what has happened, Cavallon,' said he, squeezing his subaltern's hands, ' but that puppy wants a lesson. I think his conduct dastardly." * I am glad to hear you say that, Colonel,' answered Ulric, with grave reepaotfulness ; ' may I ask now if you consider me a man of courage ?' 1 The cross on your breast is a proof of your valour,' replied the Colonel, stoutly ; ' but I personally know|you to be as brave as you are good.' * Thank you ; and you may have heard that I am a fair fencer and pistol shot ?' * I am told there is not an experter swordsman and shot than you In our army.' 2' Ulric will hold Goßpillard's life in his hand, for the man. is only a slasher,' remarked Major de Breme. ' Exactly,' said Dlric. * Well Colonel, under the circumstances, as no aspersion can rest on my courage, I must decline to fight a duel. I think it an absurd idea that a man can atone for a cowardly outrage by forcing his victim to send him a challenge. I happen to be stronger than Gospillard, but the advantage might have lain the other way.' ? . ' How can you wipe out the fellow s insult, though, if you don't fight V asked the Colonel, aghast. * I hereby lodge a formal complaint against my aggressor,* answered Ulric, coldly. ' }on know the faots of the case, and can deaide what punishment is deserved by an officer who puts a wanton slight in publio upon a comrade.' The Colonel rubbed his grey head, and uttered a series of growls. ' We- are not any of us strong enough to brave custom, Cavallon,' he said. ' Beams of paper have been blackened by writers- denouncing the folly of duelling, but we always return to the point that a man who is insnlted must not show the white feather. Your authority over your troop srs would be gone if there were any trifling over this matter. The honor of the regiment demands that yon should fight.' ' If the honor of the regiment requires that I should do a thing which my commonsense thinks foolish, and which my conscience as a Christian condemns, then I will resign,' said Cavallon, deferentially. ' Well, but just think over the matter for a night,' interposed the two seconds in continuation. They well knew what a scandal would be caused by the Marquis's resolution, and they earnestly besought him to consider that a soldier is not bonnl by the same laws as a monk. The old Colonel joined his voice to theirs, but it was all of no use. ' I shall not fight,' said the Marquis, firmly, though his cheeks were livid, and heaven knows what self-command and real abnegation he practised in giving the answer. • The English have abolished duelling, and it is time we did so. Somebody must set the example, and it will come with the better grace from me who could kill my adversary like a dog If I felt justified in taking bis life.' As ho said this, Ulric's feelings overcame him for a moment, and he clenched his fists with Buch force that the three officers felt he was exhibiting a courage greater than if he had defied and fought them all. However, they reflected sorrowfully that his career as a soldier was now ended.

The laws of the duello are ai-moet as absolute in Franco now as thoy were in England a hundred years ago. A young man of position and especially an officer who gets entangled in an affair of honor is expected to faire sea preuves —that is, to go out. Until he have done this at least once, no proof of courage which he may have given in action or otherwise will shield him from the Imputation of cowardice, should be submit tamely to an insult. Ulric de Cavallon had never fought a duel. His valor was known to his comrades, but these were not many enough to regulate public opinion. In an incredibly short space of time, these light newspapers o£ Paris whloh feed on scandal had got hold of a rumor that 'an officer, a marquis, a knight of the

facs in publio,' and, as Republican jonr nalists of the baser Borfe sre always happy to make hits at Catholic noblemen, tbey turned M. do Cavallon into 1 ridicule. The War Minlater heard of the occurrence and lcaused an inquiry to be instituted, with the result that Gaston de Goegillard was punished with a reprimand and a fortnight's arrest. But the worst part of this was that the bully remained master of the aitoation—a cock that could crow over all his walk—and the morale of the regiment was likely to be affected in consequence. Ulrio's two friends, MM. de Breme and Tarras, unable to bear this, Bent the count a challenge to meet them both successively when his arrest should be ended ; and by this ill-considered step they did the marquis much harm, Ha had been simply ludicrous before ; but now, in allowing two comrades to espouse his quarrel and vindicate his honor by arms, he appeared in an odious light. A fortnight after the scene at tho cafe, Ulric (who had obtained leave of ab Bence pending the time when his-resignation should be accepted), might have been seen walking in the grounds of his chateau, in a state of agitation difficult to describe; His mother leaned on his arm-. She was a lady of stately bearing, but her mien was very gracious, and her eyes had a sweet expression of goodness. She, a daughter, wife, and mother of soldiers, had been Ulric'a chief support in the searching trial which he had just gone through ; and ehe tried to console him now under a new sorrow that had befallen him, for, as a orowning blow, his marriage with M'lle. de Valrose—whom he loved—was to be broken off.

' My poor boy,' said the marquise, pressing his arm, 'do you mean to say that they really refused you admittance at the Chateau de Valrose ?'

' Yes ; they told me Herminie was not at home,' answered Ulric, bitterly, ' though I know she is always at home at this hour. And the lacqueys were insolent about it.' 'lnsolent?' echoed Madame de Cavallon, with a thrill in her voloe.

' Oh, yes, I am branded as a coward everywhere, and even these menials look oa me with contempt It is hard to do one's duty, mother, in the face of universal reproach.' ' You will have your reward, Ulric,' raid his mother softly. 'lt la better to be wrong with the world than with God. But stay. Here Is the Duke de Valrose; perhaps he will give us explanations."

A wiry little old gentleman who wore riding boots and a wideawake had just en tered the park, and strode toward the Cavallons, mutttering to himself aa he walked. ' Hie, Ulrio,' he shouted (or rather screamed, for his voioe was a high falsetto) as soon as he came within earshot. ' Those servants should have told you I was at home. Bat it is quite true Herminie is away; she has gone to spend a week with her aunt.' 'I am glad to hear that no slight was intended upon my son,' said the marquise,with dignity. ' So, my dear; but you and I must talk over this question of the duel together,' remarked thel ittle duke, with affectionate familiarity. ' You see I love Ulrio as if he were my son, and since his fatherj is '. not alive I will speik as your husband, my old friend, would have done. Ulrio is bound to fight.' ' Bound to forget that he is a Christian ?' 'Christians must obey social laws like other people,' screamed the duke, with all the authoritativeness of a sexagenarian and a senator. ' Ulric has not only himself to consider; he represents his church, his order, his regiment, which are all brought into contempt if he gets suspected of poltroonery. Do you think it is a seemly thing in these days of Badioal rule for a nobleman to set himself up as a laughing stock by the rabble? Why here are are Ulrio s two friends, MM. de Breme and de Tarras going to fight M. de Gospillard to-morrow morning in his place. *# * >

•What?' exclaimed Ulric,' coloring to the roots of his hair. ' I had never heard that.'

' I have though, and it's the talk of the town,' replied the duke. • Gospillard's arrest is not yet over, but the duel is to take place in the garden of the house where he lodges. A pretty thing that for a Cavallon to get his affairs of honor settled vicariously ? Can you wonder those Badical prints should be saying that you won your cross by favoritism ? —so that you see you are disgracing even the legion of Honor by your conduct,' ' I oould not have believed the world so base,' said Ulric,' whose lip curled. However, he seemed more sorrowful than angry, and this incensed the little duke.

* You seem to forget, sir, how deeply interested I am in this matter. A man who would brave social prejudices in one respeot might do so in others, and I cannot give my daughter to a Quixote, who would be continually running amuck at windmills. Ton would get your name covered with shame, and break your wife's heart.' * I am sorry you have thought it necessary to make a threat, duke,' said TJlrie, coldly. * You must know as well as anybody that I am not consulting my own pleasure in keeping my Bword sheathed.' ' Yes, but you are a wrong-headed fellow,' cried the duke in peppery wrath. • Now leave üb, for I want to speak to your mother in private,' and drawing the marquise aside by the arm, he gabbled rapidly, 'My dear friend, we must not allow that lad to throw his reputation away as if it were a pinchbeck trirket instead of a family heirloom. It's that confessor of yours, Father Jerome, a gloomy churl, who has filled TTlric's head with nonsense. But call on the Bishop of Abbeville, who is a man of the world, and he will tell you what to do.' ' I need advice, my dear duke,' ejaculated the marquise, giving way to tears, ' for my life during these last two weeks has been a torment. But what can the bishop say to me —are there two standards of right and wrong ? * ' No, but it's bishops who keep the proper weights and measures—ahem—for that sort of thing,' muttered the Duke de Valrose. ' Now you are a sensible woman, just do as It tell you,' and squeezing the afflicted lady's hand he marched off, waving a glove at Ulric, whom he saw walking mournfully under an avenue of trees.

The Marquise de Cavallon went into the house and repaired' to her private oratorio, and prayed. Her supplications must have been very sad, for when she came out her eyes were red with weeping. She looked- for her son and perceived him pacing all solitary under the avenue where she had left him an hour before. The sight of his melancholy was more than she could bear ; a sudden.misgiving smote her that he might retire into a monastery, and' destroy all the fond hopes-she had cherished of seeing him happily married, and a father of children who should inherit his lovable qualities. She resolved- to take the bishop's advice, so ringing for a- servant, she ordered her carriage round, and- presently set off for the Episcopal palace without apprising her son of what she was going to do.

Now the- Bishop of Abbeville happened' to be one of those excellent men who will never, ride, a principle too hard, even though it be a good one. He was a rosy faced prelate, who looked very happy in his violet cassoak, and liked to keep on good terms with the world, 'because/ said he, 'the world was not so bad after all if yon did* not offend it.' He h»d a great reßpect for polished society and for wealth, because he had possibly found that the rich give more than the poor to charities, and were consequently deserving of greater honor. "When the Marqniße do Oavallon called on him he rose from hiaafternoon nap with gracious alacrity to receive her ; but though prepared for her visit by a hint from the Duke de Valrose. he was much dietressed at having to decide on the case of conscience which she tearfully submitted to him. At length he said, 'Dear lady, the wioked must always be allowed to triumph, least they become boastful. A Christian who chastises the Insolence of a bad man must be doing his duty ii he be not Impelled by a mere personal vanity.' * There is no vanity in my son'a ease,' answered the Marquise. '• Vou think, then, monselgnaur, that my son ought to fight V ' David did not sin muoh whan he smote Goliath,' responded the Bishop, trying to turn off a direct answer with a smile. * But will you give him fall absolution if he fights V asked Ulrio's mother. * Oh, as to. absolution, if ho confesses to me yon. know I must giv« it, 1 was. the Ejiscopal rejoinder. 'That is enough, then, moDßiegneur, said the marquise, and with his lips firm aet in hor new purpose, she took leave of the bishop. It was evening when »he returned to her chateau. She sought her son and could not at first find him. After going through all I Legion of Honor, had pocketed ■> «lap In the

the apartments she came to a hall which was generally kepS closed, being only used on state occasions. Its walls were decorated with panoplies and with statues the coits «f armor that had been borneoi old by ' Ufric's ancestors. Here she diecorered the marquis seated at a table with hio head hurried in his arms. Tho moonbeams streaming through the windows made the arranra gieum, and touched the bca'd of the sleeper with a 3rl7<ir glory—for Uiric slept His mother foechad his shoulder and he awoke, starting up and standing with his face in the full light o£ the moon. It looked a noble face, with God's own stamp of honesty on it. ' Oh, mother, r exclaimed Ulric, grasping the marquise's hands, ' I have had a dream. I dreamed that"you took down one of those swords from the wall, and gave it to me, drawn !' * My poor boy,' sobbed his mother, throwing herself into his arms, 'your father is not with us, so I must speak to you as if I were he. Go and do what the world wants ; only if you hold your adversary's life in your power, spare him—and-and come back to me alive.' ' God bless you, mother dear,' said Ulric, impressing a kiss on Madame de Oavallon's brow. 111. Next morning when the sun had just dawned and the birds were all in full chorus of twittering among tho trees, a party of eight officers stood in the garden of a pri vate house. It was the house where the Count de Gospillard lived, and it had been arranged that a duel could be fought as well there as any where else, since the count was ■ still under arrest and unable to go out. The eight officers, all in uniform, stood in two groups; they had arranged the preliminaries of a fifht with pistols and were all looking toward the house, for a ring had been heard at the door. ' Who can it be t 3 ca'l at this hour?' exclaimed Gaston, impatiently, ' I hope the Colonel is not going to stop us.' 'No, it's Cavallon,' extlaimed Major de Br;me with a cry of astonishment, and, to the amazement of all the others, Ulric stepped forward, with his hand raised to his kepi in a salute to the company. * What do you want' here V cried Gaston, changing color slightly, but advancing with bravado. 'You place is not among men of honor.' * I hare come to punish you,' replied Ulric coldly, as he bowed ' I have to avenge an insult you put upon me,' and I will do so according to the customs of the world, after which you can ask reparation of me if you choose. Take that!'—and so saying he gave hiß whilom aggressor a slap on the face, not hard, but just smart enough to bring a tingling blush to his face. « Bascal 1 ' gasped the Count retreating, with a hand on the hilt of his sword, which he tried to unsheath; but the other officers surrounded him and disarmed him, despite his straggles. ' Well, no matter,' shouted the Count at length, with a foam of rage on hia lips. 'I am the insulted parly now, and I have the choice of weapons. I choose at ten paoes, and we'll fire till one or the other drops ' * As you please,' said Ulrio indifferently, and he stood aside stroking his moustache while the pistols were loaded. The other officers were so much taken by what had happened that they discharged their duties mechanically, without speaking. The birds in the trees seemed riotous, from the distinctness with which their chirpings could be heard, while the two adversaries stood fronting each other and waiting for the command to fire It was a solemn moment. A handkerchief was dropped, and one report was heard. Ulric had not fired. He dropped his pistol, then lifting his hands, reeled and fell heavily on his face. 'Great God; he's dead I' cried Major de Breme. stooping to examine him. ' What an affair!' ' He's a soldier who has joined the Army of Martyrs,' said Captain de Tan-as, sententionsly; but he felt what he spoke, and the others who listened—even, perhaps Gaston concurred Thus ended Ulric's aff»ir of honor.