( < T HEN you refuse to accede to my terms ?" " Most emphatically. What Is my love such that it can be bought by the offer of a paltry fortune ? By my faith, monsieur, you speak as though you had not known me all my life." " Pah I" said the other, " What is love but a glittering diamond, which, once gained, is found to be but paste. And you, who know this, yet pretend to be led by any such phantom." " Pretend ! Sir, your words, as well as your manner, seem to lean to the side of insult. Were it not that I know them to be said in a moment of passion I would force them back again into your mouth. As it is, however—" " My words," interrupted the other, " were spoken in a time of calmness and not without due deliberation. Put what interpre tation you may please upon them." " Very well," said the Count. "It is plain that you wish to pick a quarrel with me, and, as I am ever ready to humor the whim of a friend, if it pleases you, we will settle our differences in a manner which requires less discourse." " Please me," exclaimed Damroche, My second will he Monsieur Chartelot." "If I may beg a favor," broke in Count D' Armand, " I should prefer no witnesses whatever. Let us go together to some secluded spot. I should not wish the king's ears to hear of it." " Nor I, either. So the matter shall be as you have said," added Damroche. " An hour before sunset then, at the great oak on the road to Avernon. There will be a good light for sword-play." " Very well. Until evening, then, Count." Both men bowed low, and without more words left the little cafe. The lady in question was Mademoiselle Berault, a famous prima-donna—famous not only for her rich, rare voice, but as well for her startling beauty. Dame Rumor had it that for every bead upon her rosary this woman had broken a heart. In spite of this, Damroche and Count D'Armand, both men of high position, had fallen under the spell of her beauty. The Free Lance ON THII KING'S HIGHWAY C MARCH, " I shall be delighted.
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