Alexandre Dumas - The Corsican Brothers

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LOU SHILLING
THE
CORSICAN BROTHERS
ALEXANORE DUMAS
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE SONS

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3
THE
T.
CORSICAN BROTHERS
A NOVEL
BY
ALEXANDRE DUMAS
TRANSLATED BY HENRY FRITH
LONDON
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS
BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL
NEW YORK : 416, BROOME STREET
1880
9156..48 .
ELEI
A
FBÖOD
C1 MAR 04
OXFORD
LONDON :
PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER ,
MILFORD LANE , STRAND, W.c.

TO
HENRY IRVING
THE LATEST REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TWIN BROTHERS
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY
THE TRANSLATOR
{
THE
CORSICAN BROTHERS .
CHAPTER I.
In the beginning of March, 1841 , I was travelling in

Corsica .
Nothing is more picturesque and more easyto accom .
plish than a journey in Corsica. You can embark at
Toulon , in twenty hours you will be in Ajaccio, and
then in twenty-four hours more you are at Bastia.
Once there you can hire or purchase a horse. If you
wish to hire aa horse you can do so for five francs a-day ;
if you purchase one you can have a good animal for one
hundred and fifty francs. And don't sneer at the moder
ate price, for the horse hired or purchased will perform as
great feats as the famous Gascon horse which leaped
over the Pont Neuf, which neither Prospero nor Nau
tilus, the heroes of Chantilly and the Champ de Mars
could do. He will traverse roads which Balmat himself
could not cross without crampons, and will go over
bridges upon which Auriol would need a balancing pole.
As for the traveller, all he has to do is to give the
horse his head and let him go as he pleases ; he does
6 The Corsican Brothers.
not mind the danger. We may add that with this

horse, which can go anywhere, the traveller can accom
plish his fifteen leagues a day without stopping to
bait.
From time to time, while the tourist may be halting
to examine some ancient castle, built by some old baron
or legendary hero, or to sketch a tower built ages ago
by the Genoese, the horse will be contented to graze by
the road side, or to pluck the mosses from the rocks in
the vicinity.
As to lodging for the night, it is still more simple in
Corsica. The traveller having arrived at a village,
passes down through the principal street, and making
his own choice of the house wherein he will rest, he
knocks at the door. An instant after, the master or
mistress will appear upon the threshold, invite the
traveller to dismount ; offer him a share of the family
supper and the whole of his own bed, and next morning,
when seeing him safely resume his journey, will thank
him for the preference he has accorded to his house.
As for remuneration, such a thing is never hinted at.
The master would regard it as an insult if the subject
were broached. If, however, the servant happen to be
a young girl , one may fitly offer her a coloured handker
chief, with which she can make up a picturesque coif
fure for a fête day. If the domestic be a male he will
gladly accept a poignard, with which he can kill his
enemy, should he meet him.
There is one thing more to remark , and that is, as
sometimes happens, the servants of the house are rela
tives of the owner, and the former being in reduced
circumstances, offer their services to the latter in con
The Corsican Brothers. 7
sideration of board and lodging and a few piastres per

month .
And it must not be supposed that the masters are not
well served by their cousins to the fifteenth and six
teenth degree, because the contrary is the case, and the
custom is not thought anything of. Corsica is aa French
Department certainly, but Corsica is very far from being
France.
As for robbers, one never hears of them , yet there are
bandits in abundance ; but these gentlemen must in no
wise be confounded one with another.
So go without fear to Ajaccio, to Bastia, with a
purse full of money hanging to your saddle-bow, and
you may traverse the whole island without a shadow
of danger, but do not go from Occana to Levaco, if
you happen to have an enemy who has declared the
Vendetta against you, for I would not answer for your
safety during that short journey of six miles.
Well, then, I was in Corsica, as I have said, at the
beginning of the month of March, and I was alone ;
Jadin having remained at Rome.
I had come across from Elba, had disembarked at
Bastia, and there had purchased a horse at the above
mentioned price.
I had visited Corte and Ajaccio, and just then I was
traversing the province of Sartène.
On the particular day of which I am about to speak
I was riding from Sartène to Sullacaro.
The day's journey was short, perhaps a dozen leagues,
in consequence of detours, and on account of my being
obliged to climb the slopes of the mountain chain ,
which, like a backbone, runs through the island. I
8 , The Corsican Brothers.
had a guide with me, for fear I should lose my way in

the maquis.
It was about five o'clock in the afternoon when we
arrived at the summit of the hill, which at the same
time overlooks Olmeto and Sullacaro . There we
stopped a moment to look about us.

“Where would your Excellency wish to stay the
>
night ? ” asked the guide.
I looked down upon the village, the streets of which
appeared almost deserted. Only a few women were
visible, and they walked quickly along, and frequently
looked cautiously around them .
As in virtue of the rules of Corsican hospitality, to
which I have already referred, it was open to me to
choose for my resting place any one of the hundred or
hundred and twenty houses of which the village was
composed, I therefore carried my eyes from house to
house till they lighted upon one which promised com.
fortable quarters. It was a square mansion, built in a
fortified sort of style and machicolated in front of the
windows and above the door.
This was the first time I had seen these domestic
fortifications ; but I may mention that the province of
Sartène is the classic ground of the Vendetta.
" Ah, good ! ” said my guide, as he followed the
direction of my hand—“ that is the house of Madame
Savilia de Franchi. Go on, go on, Signor, you have
not made aa bad choice, and I can see you do not want
for experience in these matters. ”
I should note here that in this 86th department of
France Italian is universally spoken.
>
“ But," I said, “may it not be inconvenient if I de
7
mand hospitality from a lady, for if I understand you

rightly, this house belongs to a lady.”
“ No doubt ,” he replied, with an air of astonishment ;
“ but what inconvenience does your lordship think you
will cause ? "
" If the lady be young," I replied, moved by a feeling
of propriety - or, perhaps, let us say, of Parisian self
respect— " a night passed under her roof might com
promise her .”
66
Compromise her ! ” repeated the guide, endeavour

ing to probe the meaning of the word I had rendered in
Italian with all the emphasis which one would hazard
a word in a strange tongue.
“Yes, of course," I replied, beginning to feel impa
tient ; " the lady is a widow, I suppose ?
“Yes, Excellency."
66
Well, then, will she receive a young man into her
house ? ”
In 1841 I was thirty- six years old, or thereabouts,
and was entitled to call myself young.
“ Will she receive a young man !” exclaimed the
guide; " why, what difference can it make whether
you are young or old ? "
I saw that I should get no information out of him by
this mode of interrogation, so I resumed
“ How old is Madame Savilia ? ”
"
' Forty, or nearly so .”
“ Ah , ” I said, replying more to my thoughts than to
my guide, “ all the better. She has children , no
doubt ? "
“Yes, two sons — fine young men both . ”
“ Shall I see them ? ”
IO The Corsican Brothers.
“ You will see one of them — he lives at home.”

“ Where is the other, then ? "
“ He lives in Paris.”
“ How old are these sons ? "
66
Twenty -one."
“ What, both ? ”
“ Yes, they are twins.”
“ What professions do they follow ? "
“ The one in Paris is studying law .”
“ And the other ? ”
" The other is a Corsican ."
“ Indeed !” was my reply to this characteristic
answer, made in the most matter - of-fact tone. “ Well,
now, let us push on for the house of Madame Savilia
de Franchi.”
We accordingly resumed our journey, and entered
the village about ten minutes afterwards.
I now remarked what I had not noticed from the
hill, namely, that every house was fortified similarly to
Madame Savilia’s. Not so completely, perhaps, for
that the poverty of the inhabitants could not attain to,
but purely and simply with oaken planks, by which the
windows were protected, loop -holes only being left for
rifle barrels ; some apertures were simply bricked
up .
I asked my guide what he called these loop-holes,
and he said they were known as archères — a reply
which convinced me that they were used anterior to
the invention of firearms.
As we advanced through the streets we were able the
more fully to comprehend the profound character of
the solitude and sadness of the place.
The Corsican Brothers. II
Many houses appeared to have sustained a siege, and

the marks of the bullets dotted the walls.
From time to time as we proceeded we caught sight
of a curious eye flashing upon us from an embrasure ;
but it was impossible to distinguish whether the spec
tator were a man or a woman.
We at length reached the house which I had indi
cated to my guide, and which was evidently the most
considerable in the village .
As we approached it more nearly, one thing struck
me, and that was, fortified to all outward appearance
as it was, it was not so in reality, for there were neither
oaken planks, bricks, nor loop-holes, but simple squares
of glass, protected at night by wooden shutters.
It is true that the shutters showed holes which could
only have been made by the passage of a bullet ; but
they were of old date, and could not have been made
within the previous ten years.
Scarcely had my guide knocked , when the door was
opened, not hesitatingly, nor in a timid manner, but
widely, and a valet, or rather I should say a man ap
peared.
It is the livery that makes the valet, and the indi.
vidual who then opened the door to us wore a velvet
waistcoat, trowsers of the same material, and leather
gaiters. The breeches were fastened at the waist by a
parti-coloured silk sash, from the folds of which pro
truded the handle of a Spanish knife.
"
“ My friend , ” I said, “ is it indiscreet of me, who
knows nobody in Sullacaro, to ask hospitality of your
mistress ? "
“ Certainly not, your Excellency," he replied ; " the
stranger does honour to the house before which he

> >
stops.” “ Maria," he continued, turning to a servant,

who was standing behind him, “ will you inform
Madame Savilia that a French traveller seeks hospi
tality ? ”
As he finished speaking he came down the eight
rough ladder-like steps which led to the entrance door,
and took the bridle of my horse.
I dismounted.
“ Your Excellency need have no further concern,”
he said ; "all your luggage will be taken to your room .”
I profited by this gracious invitation to idleness
one of the most agreeable which can be extended to
a traveller.
The Corsican Brothers 13
CHAPTER II.
I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house,

and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to
face with a tall lady dressed in black.
I understood at once that this lady of thirty -eight or
forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress
>
of the house.
“ Madame, " said I, bowing deeply, “ I am afraid you
will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country
may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my
authority to enter ."
“ You are welcome to the mother,” replied Madame
de Franchi, “and you will almost immediately be wel
comed by the son. From this moment, sir, the house
belongs to you ; use it as if it were your own.”
“ I come but to beg hospitality for one night,
madame, " I answered ; " to -morrow morning, at day
break , I will take my departure ."
“ You are free to do as you please, sir ; but I hope
that you will change your mind, and that we shall
have the honour of your company for a longer period."
I bowed again , and Madame continued
* Maria, show this gentleman to my son Louis'
chamber ; light the fire at once, and carry up some hot
water. You will excuse me, ” she said, turning again
to me as the servant departed, “ but I always fancy

that the first wants of a tired traveller are warm water
and a fire. Will you please to follow my maid, sir ;
and you need have no hesitation in asking her for any
thing you may require. We shall sup in an hour, and
my son, who will be home by that time, will have the
honour to wait upon you .”
" I trust you will excuse my travelling dress,
madame.”
66
Yes, sir,” she replied smiling ; “ but on condition
that you, on your part, will excuse the rusticity of your
reception."
I bowed my thanks, and followed the servant upstairs.
The room was situated on the first floor, and looked
out towards the rear of the house, upon a pretty and
extensive garden, well planted with various trees, and
watered by a charming little stream , which fell into
the Tavaro.
At the further end the prospect was bounded by a
hedge, so thick as to appear like a wall. As is the
case in almost all Italian houses, the walls of the rooms
were white -washed and frescoed .
I understood immediately that Madame de Franchi
had given me this, her absent son's chamber, because
it was the most comfortable one in the house.
While Maria was lighting the fire and fetching the
hot water, I took it into my head to make an inventory
of the room , and try to arrive at an estimation of the
character of its usual occupant by those means.
I immediately put this idea into execution, and
beginning with the left hand, I took mental notes of
the various objects by which I was surrounded.
The furniture all appeared to be modern, a circum

stance which in that part of the island, where civiliza
tion had not then taken deep root, appeared to indicate
no inconsiderable degree of luxury. It was composed
of an iron bedstead and bedding, a sofa , four arm -chairs,
six other occasional chairs, a wardrobe, half book case
and half bureau, all of mahogany, from the first cabinet
maker in Ajaccio.
The sofas and chairs were covered with chintz, and
curtains of similar material fell before the windows,
and hung round the bed.
I had got so far with my inventory when Maria left
the room , and I was enabled to push my investigation
a little closer.
I opened the book - case, and found within a collection
of the works of our greatest poets. I noticed Corneille,
Racine, Molière, La Fontaine, Ronsard , Victor Hugo,
and Lamartine.
Our moralists--Montaigne, Pascal, Labruyère.
Our historians - Mezeray, Chateaubriand, Augustin
Thierry.
Our philosophers - Cuvier, Beudant, Elie de Beau
mont.
Besides these there were several volumes of romances
and other books, amongst which I recognized, with a
>
certain pride, my own “ Impression of Travel.”
The keys were in the drawer of the bureau. I opened
one of them .
Here I found fragments of a history of Corsica, a
work upon the best means of abolishing the Vendetta ,
some French verses, and some Italian sonnets, all in
manuscript. This was more than I expected, and I
had the presumption to conclude that I need not seek
much farther to form my opinion of the character of

Monsieur Louis de Franchi.
He appeared to be a quiet, studious young man , a
partizan of the French reformers, and then I under
stood why he had gone to Paris to become an advocate.
There was, without doubt, a great future for him in
this course . I made all these reflections as I was
dressing. My toilette, as I had hinted to Madame de
Franchi, although not wanting in a certain picturesque
ness, demanded that some allowance should be made
for it.
It was composed of a vest of black velvet, open at
seams of the sleeves, so as to keep me cooler during the
heat of the day, and slashed à l'Espagnole, permitting a
silken chemise to appear underneath. My legs were
encased in velvet breeches to the knee, and thence pro
tected by Spanish gaiters, embroidered in Spanish silk .
A felt hat, warranted to take any shape, but particu
larly that of aa sombrero, completed my costume.
I recommend this dress to all travellers as being the
most convenient I am acquainted with , and I was in
the act of dressing, when the same man who had intro
duced me appeared at the door.
He came to announce that his young master, Mon
sieur Lucien de Franchi, had that instant arrived, and
who desired to pay his respects to me if I were ready
to receive him.
I replied that I was at the disposal of Monsieur
Lucien de Franchi if he would do me the honour to
come up:
An instant afterwards I heard a rapid step approach
ing my room, and almost immediately afterwards I was
face to face with my host.
CHAPTER III.
He was, as my guide had told me, a young man

of about twenty -one years of age, with black hair and
eyes, his face browned by the sun, rather under than
over the average height, but remarkably well-pro
portioned.
In his haste to welcome me he had come up, just
as he was, in his riding -costume, which was composed
of a redingote of green cloth, to which a cartridge
pouch gave a somewhat military air, grey pantaloons
with leather let in on the inner side. of the legs, boots
and spurs. His head -dress was a cap similar to those
worn by our Chasseurs d'Afrique.
From either side of his pouch there hung a gourd
and a pistol, and he carried an English carbine in
addition .
Notwithstanding the youthful appearance of my
host, whose upper lip was as yet scarcely shaded by a
moustache, he wore an air of independence and reso
lution , which struck me very forcibly.
Here was a man fitted for strife, and accustomed
to live in the midst of danger, but without despising
it, grave because he was solitary, calm because he was
strong.
With a single glance he took me all in , my luggage,
my arms, the dress I had just taken off, and that which
I had just donned.
His glance was as rapid and as sure as that of a
man whose very life may depend upon a hasty survey
of his surroundings.
I trust you will excuse me if I disturb you ,” he
said ; “ but I come with good intentions. I wish to
see if you require anything. I am always somewhat
uneasy when any of you gentlemen from the continent
pay us a visit, for we are still so uncivilized, we Cor
sicans, that it is really with fear and trembling that
we exercise, particularly to Frenchmen, our own hospi.
tality, which will , I fear, soon be the only thing that
will remain to us.
>
“ You have no reason to fear," I replied ; “ it would

be difficult to say what more a traveller can require
beyond what Madame de Franchi has supplied. Be
sides, " I continued, glancing round the apartment,
“ I must confess I do not perceive any of the want of
civilization you speak of so frankly, and were it not for
the charming prospect from those windows, I should
fancy myself in an apartment in the Chaussée
d'Antin. '
“ Yes," returned the young man, “ it is rather a
mania with my poor brother Louis ; he is so fond of
living à la Française; but I very much doubt whether,
when he leaves Paris, the poor attempt at civilization
here will appear to him sufficient on his return home
as it formerly did.”
Has your brother been long away from Corsica ?
I inquired.
" For the last ten months."
“ You expect him back soon ??

66
Oh, not for three or four years.”
“ That is a very long separation for two brothers,
who probably were never parted before.”
66
· Yes, and particularly if they love each other as
we do."
“ No doubt he will come to see you before he finishes
his studies ? "
Probably ; he has promised us so much, at least.”
“ In any case , nothing need prevent you from paying
him a visit ? "
“ No, I never leave Corsica ."
There was in his tone, as he made this reply, that
love of country which astonishes the rest of the
universe .
I smiled .
" It appears strange to you," he said, smiling in his
turn , “ when I tell you that I do not wish to leave a
miserable country like ours ; but you must know that
I am as much a growth of the island as the oak or the
laurel ; the air I breathe must be in pregnated with
the odours of the sea and of the mountains . I must
have torrents to cross, rocks to scale, forests to ex
plore. I must have space ; liberty is necessary to me,
and if you were to take me to live in a town I believe
I should die."
“ But how is it there is such a great difference
between you and your brother in this respect ? ”
“ And you would add with so great a physical
resemblance, if you knew him .”
“ Are you, then, so very much alike ? "
s So much so, that when we were children our
C 2
parents were obliged to sew a distinguishing mark

upon our clothes."
" And as you grew up ? ” I suggested .
“ As we grew up our habits caused a very slight
change in our appearance, that is all. Always in a
study, poring over books and drawings, my brother
grew somewhat pale, while I, being always in the open
air, becamo bronzed, as you see.”
" I hope," I said, " that you will permit me to judge
of this resemblance, and if you have any commission
for Monsieur Louis, you will charge me with it. "
“ Yes, certainly, with great pleasure, if you will be
so kind. Now, will you excuse me ? I see you are more
advanced in your toilet than I, and supper will be
ready in a quarter of an hour.”
“You surely need not trouble to change on my
account. ”
“ You must not reproach me with this, for you have
yourself set me the example ; but, in any case, I am
now in a riding dress, and must change it for a moun
taineer's costume, as, after supper, I have to make an
excursion in which boots and spurs would only serve
to hinder me.”
" You are going out after supper, then ? " I asked.
“ Yes,” he repled, “ to aa rendezvous.”
I smiled .
“ Ah, not in the sense you understand it — this is a
matter of business.">
16 Do you think me so presumptuous as to believe I
have a right to your conscience ? "
' Why not ? One should live so as to be able to
proclaim what one has done. I never had a mistress,
and I never shall have one. If my brother should marry ,

and have children, it is probable that I shall never
take a wife . If, on the contrary, he does not marry,
perhaps I shall, so as to prevent our race from becom
ing extinct. Did I not tell you ," he added , laughing,
“ that I am a regular savage, and had come into the
world a hundred years too late ? But I continue to
chatter here like a crow, and I shall not be ready by
>
the time supper is on the table.”

“ But cannot we continue the conversation ? ” I said .
“ Your chamber, I believe, is opposite, and we can talk
through the open doors."
“ We can do better than that ; you can come into
my room while I dress. You are a judge of arms, I
fancy. Well, then, you shall look at mine. There are
some there which are valuable — from an historical
9
point of view, I mean."
CHAPTER IV.
The suggestion quite accorded with my inclination to

compare the chambers of the brothers, and I did not
hesitate to adopt it. I followed my host, who, opening
the door, paused in front of me to show me the way .
This time I found myself in a regular arsenal. All
the furniture was of the fifteenth or sixteenth century
-the carved and canopied bedstead, supported by
great posts, was draped with green damask à fleur d'or ;
the window curtains were of the same material. The
walls were covered with Spanish leather, and in the
open spaces were sustained trophies of Gothic and
modern arms.
There was no mistaking the tastes of the occupant
of this room : they were as warlike as those of his
brother were peaceable.
66 >
' Look here,” he said, passing into an inner room,
“ here you are in three centuries at once—see ! I will
dress while you amuse yourself, for I must make haste
or supper will be announced .”
“ Which are the historic arms of which you spoke
amongst all these swords, arquebuses, and poignards ?
I asked .
“ There are three. Let us take them in order. If
you look by the head of my bed you will find a
poignard with a very large hilt-the pommel forms a

seal . '
“Yes, I have it."
“ That is the dagger of Sampietro ."
“ The famous Sampietro, the assassin of Vanina ? ”
>
" The assassin ! No, the avenger."
“ It is the same thing, I fancy."
“To the rest of the world, perhaps - not in Corsica ."
>
“And is the dagger authentic ? ”

“ Look for yourself. It carries the arms of Sam
pietro - only the fleur- de -lis of France is missing.
You know that Sampietro was not authorized to wear
the lily until after the siege of Perpignan.”
“ No, I was not aware of that fact. And how did
you become possessed of this poignard ? "
“ Oh ! it has been in our family for three hundred
years. It was given to a Napoleon de Franchi by
Sampietro himself.”
66
· Do you rembember on what occasion ? "
“ Yes. Sampietro and my ancestor fell into an
ambuscade of Genoese, and defended themselves like
lions. Sampietro's helmet was knocked off, and a
Genoese on horseback was about to kill Sampietro with
his mace when my ancestor plunged his dagger into a
joint in his enemy's armour. The rider feeling himself
wounded spurred his horse, carrying away in his flight
the dagger so firmly embedded in his armour that he
was unable to withdraw it, and as my ancestor very
much regretted the loss of his favourite weapon Sam.
pietro gave him his own. Napoleon took great care of
it, for it is of Spanish workmanship, as you see, and will
>
penetrate two five-franc pieces one on top of another."

)
“May I make the attempt ? ”
“ Certainly."
Placing the coins upon the floor, I struck a sharp
blow with the dagger. Lucien had not deceived me.
When I withdrew the poignard I found both pieces
pierced through and through, fixed upon the point of
the dagger .
“ This is indeed the dagger of Sampietro," I said .
“ But what astonishes me is that being possessed of
such a weapon he should have employed the cord to
kill his wife . ”
“ He did not possess it at that time,” replied Lucien ;
“ he had given it to my ancestor.”
" Ah ! true ! "
Sampietro was more than sixty years old when he
hastened from Constantinople to Aix to teach that
lesson to the world, viz. , that women should not meddle
in state affairs."
I bowed in assent, and replaced the poignard.
CG
Now ,” said I to Lucien, who all this time had been
dressing, “ let us pass on from Sampietro to some one
else ."
“ You see those two portraits close together ? "
“ Yes, Paoli and Napoleon.”
“ Well, near the portrait of Paoli is a sword.”
66
>
Precisely so ."
" That is his sword .”
“ Paoli's sword ? And is it as authentic as the
poignard of Sampietro ? ”
“Yes, at least as authentic ; though he did not give
it to one of my male ancestors, but to one of the ladies.”
6. To one of your female ancestors ? ”
“ Yes. Perhaps you have heard people speak of this

woman , who in the war of independence presented
herself at the Tower of Sallacaro, accompanied by a
young man ? "
“ No, tell me the story.”
“ Oh, it is a very short one.”
“ So much the worse .”
Well, you see, we have not much time to talk
now .”
“ I am all attention .”
“ Well, this woman and this young man presented
themselves before the Tower of Sullacaro and requested
to speak with Paoli; but as he was engaged writing, he
declined to admit them ; and then , as the woman in.
sisted, the two sentinels repulsed her, when Paoli, who
had heard the noise, opened the door and inquired the
cause."
6. It is I,' said the woman ; ‘ I wish to speak to you.'
6. What have you to say to me ? '
“ I have come to tell you that I have two sons. I
heard yesterday that one had been killed for defending
his country , and I have come twenty leagues to bring
you the other !!! '
“You are relating an incident of Sparta ,” I said.
“ Yes, it does appear very like it."
" And who was this woman ? ”
“ She was my ancestress.”
“ Paoli took off his sword and gave it to her.
6.Take it,' he said, ' I like time to make my ex
cuses to woman .' '
>
“ She was worthy of both - is it not so ? ”
“ And now this sabre ? "
1
“ That is the one Buonaparte carried at the battle of

the Pyramids.""
“ No doubt it came into your family in the same
manner as the poignard and the sword .”
“ Entirely. After the battle Buonaparte gave the
order to my grandfather, who was an officer in the
Guides, to charge with fifty men a number of Mame
lukes who were at bay around a wounded chieftain .
My grandfather dispersed the Mamelukes and took the
chief back a prisoner to the First Consul. But when he
wished to sheath his sword he found the blade had been
so bent in his encounter with the Mamelukes that it
would not go into the scabbard. My grandfather there
fore threw sabre and sheath away as useless, and, seeing
this, Buonaparte gave him his own .”
66
· But,” I said, “ in your place I would rather have

had my grandfather's sabre, all bent as it was, instead
of that of the general's, which was in good condition .”
“ Look before you and you will find it. The First
Consul had it recovered, and caused that large dia
mond to be inserted in the hilt. He then sent it to
my family with the inscription which you can read on
the blade."
I advanced between the windows, where, hanging
half - drawn from its scabbard, which it could not fully
enter, I perceived the sabre bent and hacked, bearing
the simple inscription
“ Battle of the Pyramids, 21st of July, 1798.”
At that moment the servant came to announce that
supper was served.
Very well, Griffo ,” replied the young man ; “ tell
my mother that we are coming down.”
As he spoke he came forth from the inner room,

dressed, as he said, like a mountaineer ; that is to
say, with a round velvet coat, trowsers, and gaiters ; of
his other costume he had only retained his pouch.
He found me occupied in examing two carbines
hanging opposite each other, and both inscribed -
“ 21st September, 1819 : 11 A.M.”
“ Are these carbines also historical ? ” I asked .
66
Yes,” he answered. “ For us, at least, they bear a
historical significance. One was my father's "
He hesitated.
>
“ And the other ,” I suggested .
“And the other ," he said, laughing, " is my mother's.
But let us go downstairs ; my mother will be awaiting
us. "
Then passing in front of me to show me the way he
courteously signed to me to follow him.
CHAPTER V.
I MUST confess that as I descended to the supper - room

I could not help thinking of Lucien's last remark ,
>
“ The other is my mother's carbine; and this circum.
stance compelled me to regard Madame de Franchi
more closely than I had hitherto done.
When her son entered the salle à manger, he respect
fully kissed her hand, and she received this homage
with queenly dignity.
“ I am afraid that we have kept you waiting, mother,"
>
said Lucien1 ; “ I must ask your pardon .”
“In any case, that would be my fault, madame,” I
said, bowing to her. “ Monsieur Lucien has been tell
ing me and pointing out many curious things, and by
my reiterated questions I have delayed him ."
“ Rest assured ," she said, “ I have not been kept
waiting ; I have but this moment come downstairs.
But, ” she continued, addressing Lucien, “ I was rather
anxious to ask you what news there was of Louis.”
“ Your son has been ill, madame ? " I asked.
" Lucien is afraid so,” she said .
“ Have you received a letter from your brother ?
I inquired .
>
“ No,” he replied, " and that is the very thing that
makes me uneasy."
“ But, then, how can you possibly tell that he is out

of sorts ? "
66
Because during the last few days I have been

suffering myself."
“ I hope you will excuse my continual questions ;
but, really, your answer does not make matters any
clearer."
" Well, you
66
know that we are twins, don't
you ? "
“ Yes, my guide told me as much.”
“Were you also informed that when we came into
the world we were joined together ? "
“ No ; I was ignorant of that circumstance . ”
“Well, then, it was a fact, and we were obliged to
be cut asunder. So that, you see, however distant we
may be, we have ever the same body, so that any im.
pression, physical or moral, which one may receive is
immediately reflected in the other. During the last
few days I felt triste, morose, dull, and without any
predisposing cause, so far as I am aware . I have ex
perienced terrible pains in the region of the heart, and
palpitations, so it is evident to me that my brother is
suffering some great grief."
I looked with astonishment at this young man, who
affirmed such a strange thing without the slightest fear
of contradiction, and his mother also appeared to
entertain the same conviction as he did.
Madame de Franchi smiled sadly, and said, “ The
absent are in the hands of God, the great point is that
>
you are certain that he is alive.”
“ Yes," replied Lucien , calmly, " for if he were dead
>
I should have seen him .”
And you would have told me, would you not, my

son ? "
Oh, of course, mother, at once."
“ I am satisfied . Excuse me, monsieur,” she con
tinued, turning to me, “ I trust you will pardon my
maternal anxiety. Not only are Louis and Lucien my
sons, but they are the last of their race . Wi
ll you
please take the chair at my right hand ? Lucien, sit
here."
She indicated to the young man the vacant place at
her left hand.
We seated ourselves at the extremity of a long table,
at the opposite end of which were laid six other covers,
destined for those who in Corsica are called the family ;
that is to say, the people who in large establishments
occupy a position between the master and the servants.
The table was abundantly supplied with good cheer.
But I confess that although at the moment blessed
with a very good appetite, I contented myself with
eating and drinking as it were mechanically, for my
senses
were not in any way attracted by the plea
sures of the table. For, indeed, it appeared to me that
I had entered into a strange world when I came into
that house, and that I was now living in a dream.
Who could this woman be who was accustomed to
carry a carbine like a soldier ?
What sort of person could this brother be, who felt
the same grief that his brother experienced at aa distance
of three hundred leagues ?
What sort of mother could this be who made her son
declare that if he saw the spirit of his dead brother he
would tell her at once ?
These were the questions that perplexed me, and it

will be readily understood they gave me ample food for
thought .
However, feeling that continual silence was not
polite, I made an effort to collect my ideas. I looked
up .
The mother and son at the same instant perceived
that I wished to enter into conversation.
66
So,” said Lucien to me, as if he were continuing
his remarks, 66so you made up your mind to come to
Corsica ? ”
“ Yes, as you see, I had for a long time had a desire
to do so, and at last I have accomplished it. ”
“Ma foi ! you have done well not to delay your
visit; for with the successive encroachments of French
tastes and manners those who come to look for Corsica
in a few years will not find it.”
“ However," I replied, " if the ancient national spirit
retires before civilization and takes refuge in any
corner of the island, it certainly will be in the province
of Sartène, and in the valley of the Tavaro."
“ Do you think so, really ? ” said the young man ,
smiling
“ Yes, and it appears to me that here at the present
moment there is a beautiful and noble tablet of ancient
Corsican manners."
“ Yes, and nevertheless, even here, between my mo
ther and myself, in the face of four hundred years of
reminiscences of this old fortified mansion, the French
spirit has come to seek out my brother - has carried
him away to Paris, when he will return to us a lawyer.
He will live in Ajaccio instead of dwelling in his
32 The Corsican Brothers .
ancestral home. He will plead — if he possess the tal

ent -— he may be nominated procureur du roi perhaps ;
then he will pursue the poor devils who have ' taken a
>
skin, ' as they say here. He will confound the assassin
with the avenger — as you yourself have done already.
He will demand, in the name of the law , the heads of
those who had done what their fathers would have
considered themselves dishonoured not to have done.
He will substitute the judgment of men for the justice
of God ; and in the evening, when he shall have
claimed a head for the scaffold , he will believe that he
has performed his duty, and has brought his stone as a
tribute to the temple of Civilization, as our préfect
says. Oh ! mon Dieu ! mon Dieu !
The young man raised his eyes to heaven, as Han
nibal is reported to have done after the battle of
Zama.
“ But," I replied, " you must confess that it is the will
of God to equalize these things, since in making your
brother a proselyte of the new order He has kept you
here as a representative of the old manners and cus
toms.”
* Yes ; but what is there to prove that my brother
will not follow the example of his uncle instead of
following mine ? And even I myself may be about to do
something unworthy of a de Franchi.”
“ You ! ” I exclaimed, with astonishment.
“ · Yes, ”
I."
Do you wish me to tell you why you have come
>
into this province of Sartène ?

“ Yes, tell me.”
“ You have come here to satisfy your curiosity as a
man of the world, an artist, or a poet. I do not know

what you are, nor do I ask ; you can tell us when you
leave, if you wish, if not, you need not inform us ; you
are perfectly free to do as you like. Well, you have
come in the hope of seeing some village Vendetta, of
being introduced to some original bandit, such as Mr.
6
Merimée has described in Columba .' ”
66
Well, it appears to me that I have not made such
a bad choice, for if my eyes do not deceive me, your
house is the only one in the village that is not for
>
tified .”
“ That only proves I have degenerated, as I have said.
My father, my grandfather, and my ancestors for many
generations have always taken one side or the other in
the disputes which in the last ten years have divided
the village. And do you know what I have become in
the midst of musket shots and stabs ? Well, I am the
arbitrator. You have come into the province of Sar
tène to see bandits ; is not that the fact ? So come
with me this evening and I will show you one."
“ What ! will you really allow me to go with you
this evening ? "
“Certainly, if it will amuse you. It entirely de
pends upon yourself.” >
“ I accept, then , with much pleasure ."

“ Our guest is fatigued ,” said Madame de Franchi,
looking meaningly at her son, as if she felt ashamed
Corsica had so far degenerated.
“ No, mother, no, he had better come ; and when in
some Parisian salon people talk of the terrible Ven.
dettas, of the implacable Corsican bandits who strike
terror into the hearts of children in Bastia and Ajaccio,
D
he will be able to tell them how things actually

are .
“ But what is the greatmotive for this feud , which ,
as I understand, is now by your intercession to be for
ever extinguished ? "
“ Oh ," replied Lucien, " in a quarrel it is not the
motive that matters, it is the result. If a fly causes a
man's death the man is none the less dead because aa fly
caused it. ”
I saw that he hesitated to tell me the cause of this
terrible war, which for the last ten years had desolated
the village of Sullacaro.
But, as may be imagined, the more he attempted to
conceal it the more anxious I was to discover it.
co
But, ” said I, “ this quarrel must have a motive ; is
that motive a secret ? "
“ Good gracious, no ! The mischief arose between
the Orlandi and the Colona.
“ On what occasion ? ”
“ Well, a fowl escaped from the farm yard of the
Orlandi and flew into that of the Colona."
“ The Orlandi attempted to get back the hen, the
Colona declared it belonged to them . The Orlandi
then threatened to bring the Colona before the judge
and make them declare on oath it was theirs. And
then the old woman in whose house the hen bad taken
refuge wrung its neck, and threw the dead fowl into
her neighbour's face, saying —
6
" Well, then , if it belongs to you , eat it.'
“ Then one of the Orlandi picked up the fowl by the
feet, and attempted to beat the person who had thrown
it in his sister's face ; but just as he was about to do so ,
one of the Colona appeared, who, unfortunately, carried

a loaded gun, and he immediately sent aa bullet through
the Orlandi's heart.”
“ And how many lives have been sacrificed since ? "
“ Nine people have been killed altogether.”
“ And all for a miserable hen not worth twelve
sous ? "
66
Yes, but as I said just now, it is not the cause, but
the effect that we have to look at."
“ Since there were nine people killed, then , there
might easily be a dozen ."
“Yes, very likely there would be if they had not
appointed me as arbitrator. ”
“ At the intercession of one of the two families
no doubt ? "
“ Oh ! dear no, at my brother's request, who heard
of the matter at the Chancellor's house . I asked him
what on earth they had to do in Paris with the affairs
of an out-of-the-way little village in Corsica ; but it
seems the préfect mentioned it when he wrote to Paris,
and said that if I were to say a word the whole thing
would finish like a farce, by a marriage and a public
recitation ; so my brother took the hint, and replied he
would answer for me. What could I do ? ” added the
young man , throwing back his head proudly ; " it shall
never be said that a de Franchi passed his word for
his brother, and that his brother did not fulfil the
engagement.”
“ And so you have arranged everything ? '
9
“ I am afraid so."
“ And we shall see the chief of one of these two
parties this evening , no doubt ? ”
D 2
“ Just so ; last night I saw the other.”

“ Are we going to see an Orlandi or a Colona ? "
“ An Orlandi.”
" Is it far from here ? ”
“ In the ruins of the Castle of Vicentello d'Istria .”
>
“ Ah ! yes—they told me those ruins were close by.”

“ Yes, they are about a league from here ."
“ So in three -quarters of an hour we shall be
there ? ”
Yes, in about that time."
Lucien,” said Madame de Franchi, “ remember you
speak for yourself. For a mountaineer as you are it is
scarcely three-quarters of an hour distance, but recollect
that our guest may not be able to proceed so quickly."
“ That is true ; we had better allow ourselves an
hour and a half at least."
“ In that case you have no time to lose," said Madame
de Franchi, as she glanced at the clock.
66
Mother , ” said Lucien as he rose, “ you will excuse
our leaving you, will you not ? ”
She extended her hand to him , and the young man
kissed it with the same respect as he had previously
done.
Then turning to me, Lucien said ,
(6
“ If you prefer to finish your supper quietly, and to
smoke your cigar afterwards
“ No, no !" I cried ; " hang it, you have promised me
a bandit, and I must have one."
“ Well, then, let us take our guns and be off.”
I bowed respectfully to Madame de Franchi, and we
left the room, preceded by Griffo, who carried a light.
Our preparations did not occupy us very long.
I clasped a travelling belt round my waist, from

which was suspended a sort of hunting-knife, and in
the folds of which I carried powder and ball.
Lucien soon re-appeared with his cartridge case, and
carrying a double-barrelled Manton, and a sort of
peaked cap, woven for him by some Penelope of
Sullacaro .
“ Shall I go with your Excellency ? " asked Griffo.
“ No, it will be useless," replied Lucien ; " but you
may as well loose Diamond, as we might put up a
pheasant, and the moon is so clear we should be able
to shoot as well as in daylight.”
An instant afterwards a great spaniel bounded out,
and jumped joyously around its master.
We had not gone many paces from the house when
Lucien turned round and said
“ By -the -by, Griffo, tell them if they hear any shots
on the mountain that it is we who have fired them .”
“ Very well, your Excellency."
“ If we did not take some such precautions,” said
Lucien, " they would think that hostilities had re
commenced , and we should soon hear our shots echoing
in the streets of Sullacaro. A little farther on you
will see a footpath to the right that will lead us directly
up the mountain . ”
CHAPTER VI.
ALTHOUGH it was only the beginning of the month of

March the weather was beautiful, and we should have
said that it was hot, had it not been for a refreshing
breeze which carried with it a savour of the sea.
The moon was rising brilliantly behind Mount Cagna,
and the cascades of light were falling upon the southern
slope which separates Corsica into two parts, and
in a measure forms two different nations, which are
always at war, or at least, detest one another heartily.
As we mounted we could see the gorge in which the
Tavaro was buried in profound darkness, impossible to
penetrate, but we could view the calm Mediterranean ,
like a vast steel mirror extending into the horizon.
There are certain noises one hears only at night,
for during the day they are overcome by other sounds,
or it may be they awake only with the darkness, and
these produced not upon Lucien, who was familiar with
them, but upon me, who was a stranger to them,
curious sensations of surprise, and awoke in me a
powerful interest in all that I saw.
When we reached the place where the path united
with another - one going up the mountain direct, and
the other to the right, Lucien turned to me and said ,
“Are you anything of a mountaineer ? ”
“Yes, a little, as far as walking goes."
“ You are likely to get giddy, then.”

“ I am afraid so. The precipice has an irresistible
attraction for me . ”
“Then we had better take this foot-path where
there are no precipices, but merely rough walking.”
“ I am quite equal to that."
Very well, then, we have three-quarters of an hour's
walk before us.”
“ Let us take the path .”
Lucien then went first, and crossed through a little
oak wood, into which I followed him.
Diamond trotted fifty or sixty paces away, beating
right and left, and occasionally coming back to us,
wagging his tail as much as to inform us that we might
trust to him and continue our route in safety.
I saw that as some people like to possess a horse,
equally for riding or driving, so Diamond had
apparently been trained to hunt the biped or
the quadruped, the bandit or the boar. I did not wish
to appear altogether strange to Corsican manners, so I
said as much to Lucien.
“ You are mistaken ,” he replied ; " Diamond is very
useful in hunting men or animals, but he never chases
bandits. It is the triple red of the gendarmes, the
voltigeur , and the volunteer that he hunts."
66 Then I suppose
Diamond is a bandit's dog ? ”
“ He is. He belongs to an Orlandi, to whom I
sometimes used to send him into the country with
bread, powder, bullets, or whatever he required. He
was shot by a Colona, and the next day the dog came
to me, for being accustomed to come to the house, he
looked upon me as a friend . "
“ But," I said, “ I fancied I saw another dog at your

house."
“ Yes, that is Brucso, he possesses the same qualities
as Diamond, only he came to me from a Colona who
was killed by an Orlandi, and so when I pay a visit to
a Colona I take Bru so, but when I have business with
an Orlandi I take Diamond. If I were to make aa mis
take and loose them both together they would kill each
other. So , " continued Lucien, with a bitter smile,
66
men can make it up, and will receive the sacrament >
together ; the dogs will never eat from the same platter . "
“ Well,” I said, laughing ; “ here are two regular
Corsican dogs, but it seems to me that Diamond, like
all other modest creatures, has gone out of earshot
while we are speaking of him . I am afraid he has
missed us.”
“ Oh, do not be alarmed ," said Lucien, " I know
where he is .”
“ May I inquire where ? "
>
“ He is at the Mucchio .”
I was about to hazard another question, even at the
risk of tiring my companion, when a long howl was
heard, so lamentable, so sad, and so prolonged, that I
shivered and stopped.
“ What can that be ? ” I said.
“ Nothing, it is only Diamond crying."
“ What is he crying for ? ”
“ His master. Do you not know thatdogs do not for
get those they have loved ? "
“ Ah, I understand,"" I said, as another prolonged
howl rose through the night.
“ Yes,” I continued, “ his master was shot, you say,
The Corsican Bvothers. 41
and I suppose we are approaching the place where he

was killed ? "
“ Just so, and Diamond has left us to go to Mucchio .”
9
- That is where the man's tomb is ?
“ Yes, that is to say, the monument which passers-by
have raised to his memory, in the form of a cairn ; so
it follows that the tomb of the victim gradually grows
larger, a symbol of the increasing vengeance of his
relations."
Another long howl from Diamond's throat made me
shudder again, though I was perfectly well aware of
the cause of the noise .
At the next turn of the path we came upon the
wayside tomb or cairn. A heap of stones formed a
pyramid of four or five feet in height.
At the foot of this strange monument Diamond was
lying with extended neck and open mouth. Lucien
picked up a stone, and taking off his cap approached
the mucchio .
I did the same, following his example closely.
When he had come close to the pyramid he broke
a branch from a young oak and threw, first, the stone
and then the branch upon the heap. He rapidly made
the sign of the cross.
I imitated him exactly, and we resumed our route
in silence, but Diamond remained behind.
About ten minutes afterwards we heard another
dismal howling, and then almost immediately Diamond
passed us, head and tail drooping, to a point about a
hundred paces in front, when he suddenly resumed his
hunting .
CHAPTER VII.
We still kept advancing steadily, but, as Lucien had

warned me, the path became rougher and more
difficult.
I slung my gun over my shoulder, for I perceived
that I should soon need both hands to assist me. As
for my friend, he continued to press forward with the
same easy gait, and did not appear to be at all incon
venienced by the difficult nature of the ground.
After some minutes ' climbing over rocks, aided by
bushes and roots, we reached a species of platform
surmounted by some ruined walls. These ruins were
those of the Castle of Vicentello d'Istria, our destina
tion.
In about five minutes we had climbed up to the
last terrace, Lucien in advance, and as he extended his
hand to assist me he said :
“ Well done, well done ; you have not climbed badly
for a Parisian .”
“ Supposing that the Parisian you have assisted has
already had some little experience in mountain
scrambling ? "
“Ah, true ! ” said Lucien, laughing. " Have you not
a mountain near Paris called Montmartre ? ”
“Yes, but there are others beside Montmartre which
I have ascended. For instance, the Rigi, the Faulhorn ,

the Gemmi, Vesuvius, Stromboli and Etna. ”
“ Indeed ! Now I suppose you will despise me
because I have never done more than surmount Monte
Rotundo ! Well, here we are ! Four centuries ago
my ancestors would have opened the portal to you
and bade you welcome to the castle. Now their
descendants can only show you the place where (the
door used to be, and say to you, Welcome to the
> >
ruins ! '
“ I suppose the chateau has been in possession of
your family since the death of Vicentello d'Istria ? »
I said , taking up the conversation at the point at which
we had dropped it previously.
“ No, but before his birth. It was the last dwelling
place of our famous ancestress Savilia, the widow of
Lucien de Franchi.”
“ Is there not some terrible history connected with
this woman ? ”
66
“ Yes; were it daylight I could now show you from
this spot the ruins of the Castle of Valle. There
lived the lord of Guidice, who was as much hated as
she ( Savilia ) was beloved, as ugly as she was beautiful.
He became enamoured of her, and as she did not
quickly respond to his desires, he gave her to under
stand that if she did not accept him in a given time
he would come and carry her off by force. Savilia
made pretence of consenting, and invited Guidice to
come to dinner at the castle. Guidice was overcome
with joy at this, and forgetting that the invitation
had only been extorted by menace, accepted it, and
came attended only by a few body servants. The gate
was closed behind them, and in a few minutes Guidice

was a prisoner, and cast into a dungeon, yonder.”
I passed on in the direction indicated, and found my
self in a species of square court..
The moonlight streamed through the apertures time
had made in the once solid walls, and threw dark and
well - defined shadows upon the ground. All other por
tions of the ruins remained in the deep shade of the
overhanging walls round about.
Lucien looked at his watch .
“Ah ! we are twenty minutes too soon, he ex
claimed . “ Let us sit down ; you are very likely
tired .”
We sat down ; indeed, we extended ourselves at full
length upon the grassy sward, in a position facing the
great breach in the wall.
But,” said I to my companion, “ it seems to me
that you have not finished the story you began just
now. '
“ No,” replied Lucien. “ Every morning and every
evening Savilia came down to the dungeon in which
Giudice was confined, and then separated from him
only by a grating, she would undress herself, and
expose herself naked to him , a captive.'
666 6
Giudice, ' she would say, “ how do you expect that
such an ugly man as you are can ever hope to possess
all this ??
“ This trial lasted for three months, and was repeated
twice a day. But at the end of that period, thanks to
a waiting woman whom he had bribed, Guidice was
enabled to escape. He soon returned with all his men ,
who were much more numerous than those Savilia
could assemble, and took the castle by assault, and

having first possessed himself of Savilia, he subse
quently exposed her naked in an iron cage at the cross
roads in the Bocca di Cilaccia, offering, himself, the
key to any passer by who might be tempted to enter.
After three days of this public prostitution Savilia
died .”
66
" Well,” I said , “ it seems to me that your ancestors
had a very pretty idea of revenging themselves, and
that in finishing off their enemies with dagger or gun
shot their descendants have in a manner degenerated !
“ Without mentioning that the day may come when
we shall not kill them at all !” replied Lucien. “ But
it has not come to that yet. The two sons of Savilia ,”
he continued , “ who were at Ajaccio with their uncle ,
were true Corsicans , and continued to make war against
the sons of Guidice . This war lasted for four hundred
years , and only finished , as you saw, by the dates upon
the carbines of my parents, on the 21st September,
1819 , at eleven o'clock A.M. ”
“ Oh, yes, Iremember the inscription ; but I had not
time to inquire its meaning, as just then we were sum
moned to supper."
“Well, this is the explanation : Of the family of
Guidice there remained, in 1819, only two brothers.
Of the de Franchi family there remained only my father,
who had married his cousin. Three months after that
the Guidice determined to exterminate us with one
stroke. One of the brothers concealed himself on the
road to Olmedo to await my father's coming home to
Sartène -- while the other, taking advantage of his
absence, determined to attack our house. This plan
was carried out, but with a different result to what had

been anticipated. My father, being warned of the plot,
was on his guard ; my mother, who had also got a hint
of the affair, assembled the shepherds, &c., so that
when the attack was made the intended victims were
prepared for it - my father on the mountains, my
mother in the mansion. The consequence was that
the two Guidici fell, one shot by my father, the other
by my mother. On seeing his foe fall, my father drew
out his watch and saw it was eleven o'clock , When
my mother shot her assailant she turned to the time
piece and noticed that it was also eleven o'clock. The
whole thing had taken place exactly at the same
moment. There were no more Guidici left, the
family was extinct, and our victorious family is now
left in peace ; and considering we carried on a war for
four hundred years, we didn't want to meddle with it
any more. My father had the dates engraved upon
the carbines, and hung the pieces up on each side of
the clock, as you saw. Seven months later my mother
gave birth to twins, of whom one is your very humble
servant, the Corsican Lucien ; the other, the philan
thropist, Louis, his brother."
As he ceased speaking, I noticed a shadow of a
man accompanied by a dog projected in the door
way .
The shadows were those of the bandit Orlandi and
his friend Diamond.
At that moment the village clock of Sullacaro was
heard striking nine with measured strokes.
Evidently the Orlandi was of Louis XV.'s opinion,
that punctuality is the politeness of kings !
It would have been impossible to have been more

exact than was that king of the mountain, with whom
Lucien had appointed a meeting at nine o'clock.
We both rose from our reclining posture when we
saw the bandit approaching.
can hers
48 The Corsi Brot .
CHAPTER VIII.
“ You are not alone, Monsieur Lucien," said the

bandit.
“ Do not let that disturb you, Orlandi. This gentle
man is a friend of mine, who has heard me speak of
you, and wished to pay you a visit. I could not think
of refusing him that pleasure. "
“ Monsieur is welcome to the country ,” said the
bandit, bowing as he advanced towards us.
I returned his salute with the most punctilious
politeness.
“ You must have been waiting here some time,”
continued Orlandi.
“ Yes, about twenty minutes.”
66
Quite so. I heard Diamond howling at Muc
chio, and he has been with me quite a quarter of an
hour since then ; he is a good and faithful dog, is he
not, Monsieur Lucien ? "
“Yes, indeed he is, Orlandi,” replied Lucien, as he
patted the animal.
“ But,” said I, “ since you knew that Monsieur Lucien
was here, why did you not come sooner ? ”
· Because our appointment was for nine o'clock,”
said the bandit, “ and it is just as unpunctual to be a
quarter of an hour too soon as to arrive a quarter of
an hour too late .”
6. That is meant for a hit at me, Orlandi,” said

Lucien, laughing
66
" No, sir ; you no doubt have your reasons ; besides
you have a companion, and it is likely on his account
you may have started earlier, for I know your punctual
habits, Monsieur Lucien, and I know also that you
have been good enough to put yourself to inconvenience
on my account frequently.”
“ Oh, do not say anything about that, Orlandi ; this
will probably be the last time.”
“Have we not some few words to exchange upon
that subject, Monsieur Lucien ," said the bandit.
“ Yes, if you will have the goodness to follow me. ”
“ I am at your orders.”
Lucien turned towards me, and said :
“ Will you excuse me a moment ? ”
« Of course ; I replied.
The men then went away together, and ascending the
breach through which Orlandi had appeared balted at
the top of it, their figures standing out in strong
relief in the moonlight.
Then I was able to take more particular note of this
Orlandi. He was a tall man , who had fashioned his
beard in exactly the same manner as young de Franchi,
and was clothed like him ; but his dress showed traces of
more frequent contact with the bushes through which
he was obliged to fly, and of the earth upon which he
was obliged to lie, than did those of Lucien.
I could not hear what the men were talking about,
and had I heard it I could not have understood it, as
they spoke in the Corsican dialect.
But I was enabled to perceive by their gestures that
E
50
. The Corsican Brothers.
the bandit was refuting with some heat a series of

arguments which the young man was setting forth with
an impartiality that did hinn honour.
At length the gestures of the Orlandi became less
frequent and more energetic. His voice became sub
dued, and he at last bowed his head and held out his
hand to the young man.
I concluded the conference was now over, and the
men descended together towards me.
“" My dear, sir,” said Lucien, "“ Orlandi wishes to
shake you by the hand, and to thank you .”
“ And for what ? " I said .
“ For being so good as to be one of his sponsors. I
have answered for you ! "
“ If you have answered for me I will readily accept,
>
without even asking what is in question . ”
I extended my hand to the bandit, who did me the
honour to touch it with the tips of his fingers.
“ You will now be able to tell my brother that all
has been arranged according to his wishes," said
Lucien, “ and that you have signed the contract.”
“ Is there, then , a marriage about to take place ? ?
“ No, not yet ; but perhaps there may be shortly ."
A disdainful smile passed over the bandit's face as he
replied,
“We have made peace, Monsieur Lucien, because you
wished it ; but marriage is not included in the com
pact.”
" No," replied Lucien, “ it is only written in the
future amongst the probabilities ; but let us talk of
something else. Did you not hear anything while I
was talking with Orlandi ? " he said, turning to me.
“ Of what you were saying, do you mean ? "

“ No, but what you might have thought was a
pheasant close by ? "
“ Well, I fancied I did hear a bird crow, but I
thought I must have been mistaken ! ”
“ No, you were not mistaken, there is aa cock perched
in the great chestnut tree you saw about a hundred
paces from here. I heard him just now as I was
passing .”
66 66
Well, then,” said Lucien, we must eat him to.
morrow .”
“ He would have already been laid low , " said
Orlandi, “ if I had not thought that in the village they
would believe I was shooting at something besides a
pheasant.”
“ I have provided against that,” said Lucien. “ By
the-by," he added, turning to me and throwing on his
shoulder the gun he had already unslung, ““the shot by
courtesy belongs to you.”
“ One moment,” I said . “ I am not so sure of my aim
as you, and I will be quite content to do my part in
eating the bird. So do you fire."
“ I suppose you are not so used to shooting at night
as we are," replied Lucien, " and you would probably
fire too low. But if you have nothing particular to do
>
to -morrow you can come and take your revenge ."
E 2
CHAPTER IX.
We left the ruins on the side opposite to that on

which we had entered, Lucien going first.
As soon as we had got into the brushwood a pheasant
once more loudly announced his presence.
He was about eighty paces from us, roosting in the
branches of the chestnut tree, the approach to which
was prevented on all sides by the undergrowth.
“ I do not quite see how you are going to get him , "
I said to Lucien ; “ it does not appear a very easy
shot.”
“ No," he replied ; “ but if I could just see him, I
would fire from here.”
“ You do not mean to say that your gun will kill a
pheasant at eighty yards ?
“ Not with shot, ” he replied ; - it will with a
bullet.”
“Ah ! that is a different thing altogether. I did
not know you were loaded with ball. You were right
to undertake the shot.”
“ Would you like to see the pheasant ? ” asked
Orlandi.
Yes,” said Lucien, “ I confess that I should .”
“ Wait a moment, then ; " and Orlandi began to
imitate the clucking of the hen pheasant.
Then, without our being able to see the bird, we

perceived a movement in the leaves of the chestnut
tree . The pheasant was evidently mounting branch
by branch as he replied to the call of the hen imitated
by Orlandi.
At length he arrived at the end of a branch, and
was quite visible in the moonlight.
Orlandi ceased, and the pheasant remained motion.
less.
At the same moment Lucien levelled his gun, and,
with a quick aim, fired .
The pheasant fell like a stone.
“ Fetch it ! ” said Lucien to Diamond .
The dog rushed into the brushwood, and soon re
turned with the bird, pierced by the bullet, in his
mouth.
9
“ That is a good shot,” I said . “ I congratulate you

upon it, particularly with a fowling -piece.”
Oh ,” said Lucien, “ I do not deserve your praise,
for one barrel is rified, and carries a ball like a carbine.”
“ Never mind, such a shot with a carbine deserves
honourable mention .”
“ Bah ! ” said Orlandi; “ why, with a carbine, Mon
sieur Lucien could hit a five- franc piece at three
hundred paces . ‫ܕܕ‬
“ And can you shoot with a pistol as well as with a

g u n ? "
, said Lucien, “very nearly.
“ Yes," At twenty
five paces I can always divide six balls out of twelve
on the blade of a knife.”
I took off my hat and saluted the speaker, saying,
>
“ Is your brother an equally good shot ? '

“My brother ? ” he replied. “Poor Louis ! he has

never handled gun nor pistol in his life. My great
fear is that he will get mixed up in some affair in
Paris, and, brave as he undoubtedly is, he will be killed
to sustain the honour of the country.”
Lucien, as he spoke, thrust the pheasant into the
great pocket of his velveteen coat.
“ Now ,” he said, “ my dear Orlandi, till to -morrow
farewell.”
“ Till to -morrow , Monsieur Lucien ? "
“ I count upon your punctuality. At ten o'clock
your friends and relatives will be at the end of the
street. On the opposite side Colona, with his friends,
will be likewise present, and we shall be on the steps
of the church ."
“ That is agreed , Monsieur Lucien. Many thanks
for your trouble ; and to you, monsieur," he added,
turning to me, “ I am obliged for the honour you have
done me.
After this exchange of compliments we separated ,
Orlandi disappearing in the brushwood, while we took
our way back to the village.
As for Diamond, he was puzzled which to follow ,
and he stood looking right and left at the Orlandi and
ourselves alternately. After hesitating for about five
minutes, he did us the honour to accompany Lucien
and me .
I must confess that while I had been scaling the
ruined walls I had had my misgivings as to how
I should descend, for the descent is usually more
difficult, under such circumstances, than the ascent.
But I was glad to see that Lucien, apparently di
vining my thoughts, took another route home. This

road, also, was advantageous in another respect, for it
was not so rough, and conversation was easier.
At length, finding the path quite smooth, I con
tinued my questions to my companion, in accordance
with my usual custom, and said ,
“ Now peace is made, IΙ suppose ? ”
“ Yes, and as you see, it has not been concluded
without some trouble. I have been obliged to repre
sent all the advances as having been made by the
Colona ; for, you see, they have had five men killed,
while the Orlandi have lost but four. The former
consented to the arrangement yesterday, and the latter
to - day. The upshot of it all is that the Colona have
agreed to hand over a live hen to the Orlandi, a con
cession which will prove them in the wrong . This
last consideration has settled the matter .”
“And to-morrow this touching reconciliation will be
effected ? "
“ Yes, to -morrow , at ten o'clock . You are still un
fortunate ; you hoped to see a Vendetta ?
The young man smiled bitterly as he continued
“ But this is aa finer thing than aa Vendetta ! isn't it ?
For four hundred years , in Corsica, they have been
talking of nothing else. Now you will see a recon
ciliation. I assure you it is aa much rarer sight than a
Vendetta ! ”
I could not help laughing.
6
There, you see, you are laughing at us,” he said.

“ And you are right, after all. We are really a very
droll people."
6
" No," I replied, " I was laughing at another strange
n s
56 The Corsica Brother .
thing, and that is, to see that you are annoyed with
yourself because you have succeeded so well in bringing
about a reconciliation .”
“" Ah ! ” he replied. “ If you had understood what
we said you would have admired my eloquence . But
come back in ten years' time, and you will find us all
speaking French .”
“ You would make a first-rate pleader.”
“ No, no—I am a referee—an arbitrator. What
the deuce do you expect ? Must not an arbitrator
reconcile opposing factions ? They might nominate
me the arbiter between Heaven and Hell , that I might
teach them to be reconciled, although, in my own
heart, I should feel that I was a fool for my pains.”
I perceived that this conversation was only irri.
tating to my new acquaintance, so I let it drop, and as
he did not attempt to resume it, we proceeded in
silence, and did not speak again until we had reached
his house .
CHAPTER X.
GRIFFO was in attendance when we arrived , and before

his master said a word the servant had taken the
pheasant from Lucien's pocket. The valet had heard
and had understood the object of the shot.
Madame de Franchi had not yet retired to rest,
although she had gone upstairs, and she had left a
message with Griffo to request her son to go into her
room before she went to bed.
The young man first inquiring whether I was in
want of anything, and on my reply in the negative,
begged to be excused, to wait upon his mother.
Of course I acknowledged the politeness, and leaving
him, went up to my own room .
I entered it with a certain feeling of self congratu
lation. I was pleased that I had divined the character
of Louis, as I had found out Lucien's .
I undressed deliberately, and having taken down a
volume of Victor Hugo's works, I lay down and
enjoyed myself thoroughly with Les Orientales.
For the hundredth time I came upon Le Feu du ciel,
I was fully occupied thus,
and re -read it once more .
when I fancied I heard a step upon the staircase,
which stopped at my door. I suspected that my host
had paused outside, wishing to bid me good-night, but
scarcely liking to venture in for fear I should be

asleep ; so I cried out “ Come in ,” and put my book
upon the table.
In fact, as I spoke the door opened, and Lucien ap
peared.
“ I trust you will excuse me,” he said ; " but it
seems to me that I have been somewhat rude this
evening, and I did not like to retire without making
my excuses to you. So I have come to make the
amende honorable — and as I daresay you have a num
ber of questions to ask I am quite at your disposal.”
“ A thousand thanks,” I replied ; “but, thanks to
your good nature, I am already well informed upon
most topics concerning which I desired information ,
and there only remains one question, which I have
made up my mind not to ask.”
“ Why ? "
“ Because it would appear too impertinent. How.
ever, if you remain here I confess I cannot answer for
myself. I give you fair warning ! ”
“ Well, then, go on. Curiosity unsatisfied is an un
comfortable companion, and awakens all kinds of sup
positions ; and two, at least, out of every three guesses
concerning a fact are sure to be quite wide of the
mark, and more likely to prejudice the object than to
arrive at the truth concerning it. ”
“Well, you may rest easy . My worst suspicions
concerning you lead me to regard you as a sorcerer ! ”
The young man laughed loudly.
6. The devil ! You have inoculated me with some of
your curiosity : tell me why, I entreat you - speak
out ! ”
" Well, then , you have had the kindness to clear

ap many things which were before obscure to me ; but
one thing you did not touch upon. You have shown
me your beautiful weapons, which I should like to
9
examine again before my departure."
“ Granted. That's one reason . ”
“ You have explained to me the inscriptions upon
the carbines.”
66 That's another reason .
“ You have made it clear to me that, thanks to the
phenomenon of your birth , you always experience
although far away from him , the same sensations that
agitate your brother, and no doubt he feels equally
your troubles."
“ That is a third reason for your belief, in my
sorcery ! ”
“ Yes, but Madame de Franchi, when referring to the
sadness you lately have experienced, and which leads you
to think that some misfortune threatens your brother,
asked you if you were sure he were not dead, and you
replied “ No, for then I should have seen him .' ”
“ Yes, I remember I did say so. ”
“ Well, then , if such an explanation may be entrusted
to a stranger, will you explain to me how this could
happen ? "
The young man's face had assumed a very grave
expression as I was speaking, and I hesitated to pro
nounce the last words.
He was silent for a moment after I ceased to speak,
and I said,
“ I am afraid that I have been too indiscreet ; pray
forget that I spoke on the subject at all. ”
“ No ,” he replied , quietly ; “ no, but you are a man
of the world, and as such inclined to be somewhat

incredulous. So, you see, I am rather afraid you will
treat as a superstition an old family tradition which
has been handed down for centuries . ”
66
Listen,” I said . “ I can declare one thing, and
that is that no one is more easily convinced than I am
on all questions of legendary or traditionary lore — and
I am always ready to give credence to things regarded
as impossible ! ” >
“ So you believe in ghosts ? "
66
" Do you wish to hear me tell how I saw one ? ”
“ Yes, that will encourage me.”
“ My father died in 1807, when I was three and
a - half years old . When the doctor announced his speedy
death I was sent away to the house of an old cousin in
the country.
“ She had made up a bed for me opposite herown, to
which I was sent at the usual time, and, notwithstand
ing the trouble hanging over me, I feel fast asleep.
66
I was suddenly awakened by three violent blows
upon the door of the chamber ; I got out of bed and
walked across the floor to open it .
“ Where are you going ? ' asked my cousin .
“ She had herself been awakened by the noise, but
could not overcome her terror, knowing very well that
as the front door was fastened no one would be likely
to come to the room in which we were sleeping:
“ I am going to open the door to my father, who has
come to bid me adieu, ' I replied.
“ It was then she jumped out of bed and insisted upon
my lying down again. I cried for a long time and
6
very bitterly, saying, “ Papa is at the door, and I want
to see papa again before he goes away for ever . ' ‫ܕܕ ܕ‬
“ And has the apparition ever returned since ?” asked

Lucien .
“ No, although I have often called upon it ; but,
perhaps, Providence permitted to the innocence and
purity of the child what it declines to accord to the
sinfulness of the man .”
“Well, then , " said Lucien smiling, " in our family
>
we are more fortunate than you ."
“ Then you are enabled to see your deceased
parents ?
66
Yes, always when any great event is about to
happen or has been accomplished."
“ And to what do you attribute this privilege ? '
“ I will tell you the tradition that has been handed
down. You remember that I told you that Savilia
died leaving two sons. ”
“ Yes, I recollect.”
“ Well , these children grew up concentrating on
each other the affection they would have bestowed on
other relatives had any been alive. They swore nothing
should separate them, not even death , and after some
incantation or other they wrote with their blood on two
pieces of parchment, which they exchanged, the recip
rocal oath that whichever died first should appear to
the other at the moment of his own death, and, sub
sequently, at every important epoch of his brother's
life. Three months afterwards one of the two brothers
was killed in an ambuscade at the moment when the
survivor was sealing a letter addressed to him. Just as
he was pressing the signet upon the burning wax he
heard a sigh behind him, and, turning round, perceived
his brother standing behind him, and touching his
shoulder, although he felt no pressure from the hand.
Then, by a mechanical movement, he held out the

letter that was destined for his brother, the spirit took
the letter and disappeared. On the night before the
survivor's death, the ghost appeared again .
“ There is no doubt that the brothers not only made
this engagement for themselves, but it applies also to
their descendants, for spirits have appeared not only
at the moment of the death of those who had passed
away, but also on the eve of any great event in their
lives.”
66
And have you never seen any apparition ? "
' No ; but like my father, who, during the night
preceding his death, was warned by his father that
he was about to die, so I presume my brother and I
inherit the privilege of our ancestors, not having done
anything to forfeit it."
“ And is this privilege accorded to the males of the
family only ? ”
“ Yes.”
“ That is strange."
“ It is as I say.”
I looked at the young man as he was speaking to me.
He was cool, calm , and grave, and I could not help
repeating with Hamlet
" There are more things in heaven and earth , Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
In Paris I should have thought that this young man

was hoaxing me ; but here in Corsica, in a little un
known village, one must look upon him either as a
foolish person endeavouring to deceive one for his own
purposes, or as a privileged being amongst other
men.
66
“ And now , ” he said, after a long silence, are you
satisfied ?
“Yes, thank you,” I answered. " I appreciate your
confidence, and will promise to keep your secret.”
“ Oh, goodness," he said, laughing, “ there is no
secret in the matter—the first peasant you meet
would tell you all I have told you ; I only hope that
in Paris my brother has not boasted of this privilege,
which would only cause men to laugh, and would
frighten the ladies."
So saying, he bade me good - night, and retired to his
room,
Although fatigued, I was not able to sleep for

some time, and when I did, at last sleep I was restless.
I appeared to see in a confused manner in my dreams
all the people with whom I had come in contact that
day. It was only when day broke that I fell into a
sound sleep, and was awakened by the striking of a
clock, close to my bed, apparently.
I rang the bell, without rising, for my lazy prede.
cessor had provided a bell- rope close at hand, the only
one probably in the village.
Griffo immediately appeared, carrying some warm
water ; I saw that this valet had been well drilled .
Lucien, he said, had twice inquired 'whether I was
awake, and had told him that if I did not ring before
half- past nine he would call me.
It was now twenty - five minutes past nine, so it would
not be long before he came.
He soon made his appearance , dressed very ele
gantly in French style, with a black frock coat and
white trowsers.
He noticed that I looked at him with some surprise.
" I hope you are admiring my dress, ” he said ; " an

>
other proof that I am becoming civilized.”

“ Yes, indeed,” I replied, “and I confess I am con
siderably astonished to find that you possess such a
tailor in Ajaccio. I shall look quite the country bump
kin beside you.">
“ I assure you my dress is quite Parisian , my dear
friend. You see my brother and I being exactly the
same height, he for a joke sent me a regular outfit,
which I only wear on grand occasions, to receive the
prefect, for instance, or when the commandant makes
his departmental inspection ; or, better still, when I
receive a guest like yourself, and when that pleasure is
combined with such important business as we are about
to accomplish to -day."
There was in this young man's manner of speaking
a polished irony, and good -nature withal, which at
once set people at their ease, and never passed the
bounds of perfect politeness.
I simply bowed in reply, while he carefully in
ducted his hands into a pair of kid gloves of Paris
manufacture.
As now attired, he looked a thorough Parisian.
All this time I was dressing rapidly.
A quarter to ten struck .
“ Come along,” said Lucien, “ if you wish to see the
play. I think it is time we took our seats, unless,
indeed, you would rather have breakfast first, which
appears to me only reasonable.”
6. Thank you, I seldom eat before eleven or twelve,
so I am ready to face both operations."
“ Come along, then."
I took up my hat and followed him upstairs.
CHAPTER XI.
From the top of the steps by which one reached the

door of the chateau usually inhabited by Madame de
Franchi and her son, one could look over the square .
This square, so silent the night before, was now full
of people, but curiously enough there was not a man to
be seen, the crowd was composed of women and child
ren under twelve.
On the lowest step of the church door we could
perceive a man girdled with a tri -coloured sash . This
was the mayor .
Under the portico, another man clothed in black
was seated at a table. This was the notary, and the
written paper under his hand was the act of recon
ciliation .
I took my place beside the table with the sponsors
of the Orlandi. On the other side were the sponsors
of the Colona faction. Lucien stood behind the notary
so as to show that he acted for both ..
In the choir of the church one could perceive the
priests ready to solemnize the mass .
The clock struck ten.
At that moment a shiver perva ded the crowd and
all eyes were turned towards the erid of the street, if
one could so call the unequal interval between the
houses.
Immediately on the mountain side appeared the
F
66 The Corsican Brothers,
Orlandi, and in the direction of the river was the

Colona, each followed by his partisans, but as had
been arranged neither party carried arms.
The two chiefs presented a very vivid contrast.
Orlandi, as I said, was tall, brown, agile and thin.
Colona, on the other hand, was short, stoutish, and
vigorous ; he had red hair and beard, both of which
were short and curly.
Both men carried olive branches, the symbol of peace,
which was the idea of the worthy mayor.
But besides this olive branch, the Colona held a
white fowl by the feet ; this bird was destined to replace
that which had given rise to the quarrel, and the fowl
was alive.
This last was a point that had long been discussed,
and had very nearly upset the whole arrangement.
The Colona looked upon it as a double humiliation to
have to render back a living fowl for the one which
his aunt had thrown, dead in the face of the cousin of
the Orlandi.
However, by force of reasoning, Lucien had per
suaded the Colona, to provide the fowl, as he had
managed to induce the Orlandi to accept it.
When the two rivals appeared, the bells, which until
now had been silent, broke forth into a merry peal.
When they caught sight of each other both Orlandi
and his brother : made a similar movement of re
pulsion , but, nevertheless, they both continued their
way.
Just opposite the church door they stopped, a few
paces only dividing them.
If three days previously these men had caught sight
of each other within a hundred paces, one of the two

certainly would have remained on the field .
For about five minutes there was a profound silence,
a silence which, notwithstanding the peaceful nature
of the ceremony, was anything but pacific.
Then at length the mayor spoke.
66
Well , Colona,” he said, “ do you not know that you
have to speak first ?
Colona made an effort and muttered some words in
the Corsican patois.
I fancied I understood him to say that he regretted
having been in Vendetta with his good neighbour
Orlandi, and that he offered in reparation the white
hen which he held in his hand .
Orlandi waited until his adversary had finished
speaking, and replied in some words which I took to be
a promise that he would forget everything but the
solemn reconciliation that had that day taken place in
the presence of Monsieur Lucien and the notary.
After that the rivals preserved a dogged silence.
“ Now , gentlemen," said the mayor, “ you have only
got to shake hands."
By a simultaneous movement the rivals clasped their
hands behind their backs .
The mayor descended from his elevated seat, and
seizing the hand of Colona sought for the hand of the
Orlandi, and having possessed himself of both he, with
some effort, which he endeavoured to conceal with a
smile, succeeded in joining the two hands.
The notary seized the moment, while the mayor held
the two hands together, to stand up and read the deed
declaring the feud to be at an end. The document was
as follows :
F 2
“ In the presence of us, Giuseppe Antonia Sarrola,

Notary Royal of Sullacaro in the Province of Sartène.
“ In the grand place of the village opposite the
church, in the presence of the mayor, the sponsors, and
all the population.
“ Between Gaetano Orso Orlandi, called Orlandini.
“ And Marco Vincenzio Colona, called Schioppone.
“ It is solemnly ratified as follows :
“ From this day, 4th of March, 1841, the Vendetta
declared between the families shall cease.
“ From the same period they shall live together as
good neighbours and friends, as their relatives did
before the unhappy disunion which has so long alien
ated their families.
“ In witness whereof they have signed these presents
under the portico of the village church, with Monsieur
Polo Arbori, mayor of the commune, Monsieur Lucien
de Franchi, arbitrator, the sponsors of the two contract
ing parties, and ourselves the Notary.
“ Sullacaro, 4th of March , 1841."
I note with admiration that the mayor had very
prudently omitted all mention of the hen which had
put the Colona in such aa bad position with the Orlandi.
So the face of the Colona got brighter in proportion
as the figure of the Orlandi clouded ; the latter looked
at the hen which he was holding in his hand as if he
had a great idea to throw it in the face of the Colona.
But a glance from Lucien de Franchi checked this
intention in the bud.
The mayor saw that he had no time to lose ; he
stepped back, holding the hands of the rivals, and
without loosing them for a moment.
Then , in order to anticipate any discussion at the
moment of signature, in view of each considering it a

concession to sign before the other, he took the pen
and wrote his own name first, and thus converting
the shame into an honour, passed the pen to Orlandi,
who took it, signed, and passed it to Lucien, who in
his turn handed it to Colona, who made a cross.
At that moment the Te Deum was chanted as if for
a victory.
We all signed afterwards, without distinction of
rank or title, as the nobility of France a hundred years
before had signed the protestation against Monsieur
le Duc du Maine.
Then the heroes of the day entered the church ,
and knelt in the places appointed for them .
I saw that from this moment Lucien appeared per
fectly at ease. All had been finished satisfactorily :
the reconciliation had taken place not only before man
but before Heaven.
The service terminated without any incident worth
recording ; and when it was over, Orlandi and Colona
passed out with the same ceremony as before.
At the church door, at the instance of the mayor,
they once again shook hands ; and then each one,
attended by his friends and relatives, made his way to
his house, which for three years he had not entered.
Lucien and myself went back to Madame de Franchi's
house, where dinner awaited us.
It is not difficult to perceive by the attentions I
received that Lucien had read my name over my
shoulder when I was signing the paper, and the name
was not altogether unknown to him.
In the morning I had announced to Lucien my
intention to depart after dinner. I was urgently re
called to Paris by the rehearsals of “ Un Mariage sous

Louis XV.,” and notwithstanding the importunities of
.
mother and son, I persisted in adhering to my first

determination.
Lucien then asked permission to take advantage of
my offer, and to take a letter to his brother ; and
Madame Franchi made me promise that I would hand
this letter myself to her son .
There was really no trouble in the matter, for Louis
de Franchi, like a true Parisian as he was, lived at
No. 7, Rue du Helder.
I asked permission to see Lucien's room once again,
and he himself conducted me thither, explaining every
thing to me.
“You know ," he said, " if anything strikes you I
hope you will take it, it is yours.”
I unhooked a small poignard hanging in an obscure
corner, as if to show that it had no value attached to
it ; and as I had seen Lucien notice with some curiosity
my hunting- belt and its appurtenances, I begged him
to accept it, and he had the good taste to take it
without being pressed.
At that moment Griffo appeared to tell me that the
horse was saddled and the guide waiting.
I put aside the little present I had intended to give
to Griffo, which consisted of a hunting-knife and two
pistols attached to it, the barrels of which were hidden
in the hilt.
I never saw anybody so delighted as he was at this
present.
I descended, and found Madame de Franchi at the
bottom of the staircase, where she was waiting to bid
me good-bye, in the same place where she had bade me
welcome. I kissed her hand, feeling great respect for

such a simple -minded and yet so dignified a woman .
Lucien accompanied me to the door.
66
On any other day ,” he said , “ I would saddle my
horse, and ride with you beyond the mountain, but
to -day I dare not quit Sullacaro for fear that one or
other of the newly-made friends might commit some
folly .”
“ You are quite right," I said ; “ and for my own
part, I am very glad to have assisted at a ceremony so
new to Corsica ."
>
“ Yes ,” he said, “ you may well congratulate your

self, for you have to -day witnessed a thing which is
enough to make our ancestors turn in their graves."
“ I understand — their word was sufficient; they did
not need aa notary to reconcile them , ΙI suppose ? ”
" They were never reconciled at all."
He then shook me by the hand.
66
Have you no message for your brother ? ” I said .
“Yes, certainly, if it will not incommode you to
deliver it .”
“Well, then," said he, “ let us embrace. I can only
deliver that which I am able to receive.”
So we embraced each other.
" We shall see you again some day ?” I said.
‫و‬
“ Yes, if you come to Corsica.” '
“ No, but won't you come to Paris ?”
“ I shall never go there,” replied Lucien.
“ In any case, you will find my card on the mantel
piece in your brother's room - do not forget the ad
dress."
“ I will promise you that should any event call me
to the Continent you shall have my first visit.”
66
· Very well , that is agreed.”
We shook hands once again and parted ; but I
noticed, so long as he could see me, he followed me
with his eyes .
All was quiet in the village, although, of course,
there was the usual agitation which follows the com
pletion of a great public act; and as I went along the
street I sought my friend Orlandi, who had never
addressed a word to me, nor even thanked me ; and so
I passed the last house in the village, and entered the
open country without having seen any one like him.
I thought he had entirely forgotten me, and under
the circumstances I quite excused him, but before I
got very far out of the village I perceived a man stride
from the underwood, and place himself in the middle
of the road. I recognized him at once as the man who
in my great regard for appearances, and in my im
patience, I had accused of ingratitude.
He was dressed in the same costume as he had
appeared in the previous evening in the ruins of
Vicentello.
When I was about twenty paces distant from him
he took off his hat ; while I spurred myhorse so as not
to keep Orlandi waiting.
>
“ Monsieur," he said , “ I did not wish you to quit
Sullacaro without accepting my thanks for the kind
ness you have shown to a poor peasant like myself, and
as in the village I had not the heart, and could not
command the language, to thank you, I waited for you
here."
“ I am obliged to you , ” I said ; “ but it was not
necessary to take any trouble about it, and all the
honour has been mine."
“ And after all, monsieur,” continued the bandit,

“ the habit of four years is not easily overcome. The
mountain air is strong at first, almost suffocating—but
now when I go to sleep in a house I should be afraid
the roof would fall upon me.”
“ But surely,” I said, “ you will now resume your
former habits. I understand you have a house, a field ,
and a vineyard."
“ Yes, but my sister looks after the house ; but the
Lucquois are there to work in the field, and to raise
the grapes . We Corsicans do not work .”
“ What do you do, then ? ”
“ We overlook the labourers. We walk about with
a gun upon our shoulders.”
“Well, my dear Monsieur Orlandi," I said, extending
my hand , " I wish you good luck ; but recollect that
my honour as well as your own will be compromised if
you fire at anything but game or wild animals. You
must never on any account draw a trigger on the
Colona family.”
“ Ah ! your Excellency," he replied, with an expres
sion of countenance which I never remarked except
amongst the natives of Normandy, “ that hen they
gave us was a very thin one.”
And without another word he disappeared in the
brushwood.
I continued my journey thinking that it was very
likely that the meagre fowl would be the cause of
another rupture between the Orlandi and the Colona.
That evening I slept at Albitucia, next day I reached
Ajaccio.
Eight days afterwards I was in Paris.
CHAPTER XII.
The day I arrived in Paris I called upon M. Louis de

Franchi . He was not at home.
I left my card, with an intimation that I had just
returned from Sullacaro, and that I was the bearer of
a letter from M. Lucien, his brother. I inquired when
he would be at home, as I had undertaken to deliver
the letter with my own hand.
To conduct me to his master's study, where I wished
to write aa note, the valet led me through the dining
room and the salon .
I looked around me as I proceeded with a curiosity
which will be understood, and I recognized the influ .
ence of the same taste which I had already perceived
at Sullacaro ; only the taste was here set off by true
Parisian elegance. M. Louis de Franchi certainly
appeared to have a very charming lodging for a
bachelor.
Next morning, about eleven o'clock, my servant
announced M. Louis de Franchi. I told the man to
offer my visitor the papers and to say that I would
wait on him as soon as I was dressed.
In five minutes I presented myself.
M. Louis de Franchi who was, no doubt from a sense
of courtesy, reading a tale I had contributed to La
Presse, raised his head as the door opened, and I
entered .
I stood perfectly astounded at the resemblance

between the two brothers. He rose .
66 6
Monsieur,” he said, “ I could scarcely credit my good
fortune when I read your note yesterday on my return
home. I have pictured you twenty times so as to
assure myself that it was in accord with your portraits,
and at last I, this morning, determined to present my
self at your house without considering the hour,, and I
fear I have been too early .”
“ I hope you will excuse me if I do not at once ac
knowledge your kindness in suitable terms, but may I
inquire whether I have the honour to address M. Louis
or M.Lucien de Franchi ? ”
“ Are you serious ? Yes, the resemblance is cer
tainly wonderful, and when I was last at Sullacaro
nearly every one mistook one of us for the other, yet,
if he has not abjured the Corsican dress, you have seen
him in a costume, which would make a considerable
difference in our appearance . ”
“ And justly so ," I replied ; " but as chance would
have it, he was, when I left, dressed exactly as you are
now, except that he wore white trowsers, so that I was
not able to separate your presence from his memory
with the difference in dress of which you speak, but,”
I continued, taking the letter from my pocket-book, " I
can quite understand you are anxious to have news
from home, so pray read this which I would have left
at your house yesterday had I not promised Madame
de Franchi to give it to you myself.”
“ They were all quite well when you left, I hope ? ”
66 >
Yes, but somewhat anxious."
On my account ? "
>
“ Yes ;; but read that letter, I beg of you .”
“ If you will excuse me.”
So Monsieur Franchi read the letter while I made some
cigarettes. I watched him as his eyes travelled rapidly
over the paper, and I heard him murmur, “ Dear Lucien,
Darling Mother -yes- -yes- -I understand .”
I had not yet recovered from the surprise the
strange resemblance between the brothers had caused
me, but now I noticed what Lucien had told me, that
Louis was paler, and spoke French better than he did.
66
“ Well,” I said when he had finished reading the
letter, and had lighted the cigarette, “ You see, as I
told you, that they are anxious about you, and I am glad
that their fears are unfounded .”
“Well, no," he said gravely , " not altogether ; I have
not been ill, it is true, but I have been out of sorts, and
my indisposition has been augmented by this feeling
>
that my brother is suffering with me.”
“ Monsieur Lucien has already told me as much, and
had I been sceptical I should now have been quite sure
that what he said was a fact. I should require no
further proof than I now have. So you, yourself, are
convinced, monsieur, that your brother's health depends
to a certain extent on your own .”
‫ܕܙ‬
“ Yes, perfectly so. '
" Then ” I continued,as your answer will doubly
interest me, may I ask, not from mere curiosity, if this

indisposition of which you speak is likely soon to
pass away ? "
66
• Oh, you know , monsieur, that the greatest griefs
give way to time, and that my heart, even if seared, will
heal. Meantime, however, pray accept my thanks once
more, and permit me to call on you occasionally to have

a chat about Sullacaro."
“ With the greatest pleasure,” I replied ; “ but why
not now continue our conversation, which is equally
agreeable to both of us. My servant is about to an
nounce breakfast. Will you do me the honour to join
me, and we can talk at our ease ? ”
“ I regret that it is impossible ; I have an appoint
ment with the Chancellor at twelve o'clock, and you
will understand that such a young advocate as I am
cannot afford to stay away.”
“ Ah, it is probably only about that Orlandi and
Colona affair, as you, no doubt, are aware, and I can
re -assure you on that point, for I myself signed the
contract as sponsor for this Orlandi.”
" Yes, my brother said as much .”
" But,” he added , looking at his watch ," it is nearly
twelve o'clock ; I must go and inform the Chancellor
that my brother has redeemed my word . ”
66
' Ah, yes, most religiously, I can answer for that.”
“ Dear Lucien, I knew quite well, though our sentiments
do not agree on this point, that he would do it for me."
Yes, and I assure you it cost him something to
comply .”
“ We will speak of all this later, for you can well
understand how pleasant it is for me to re-visit with
your assistance my mother,, my brother, and our home
surroundings, so if you will tell me when you are dis
engaged— ”
“ That will be somewhat difficult ; for this next few
days I shall be very busy, but will you tell me where I
am likely to find you ."
66
Listen ,” he said, “ to -morrow is Mi- Careme, is it
not ? "
“ To-morrow ? ”
“ Yes.”
“ Well.”
“ Are you going to the Opera Ball ? ”
“ Yes and No. Yes, if you will meet me there. No,
if I have no object in going. ”
“ I must go, I am obliged to be there ."
" Ah, yes,” I said laughing, " I understand,, as you
said just now , time heals up the greatest griefs , and
your seared heart must be healed.”
“ You are under a misapprehension, for I shall
probably sustain new tortures by going."
66
** Then do not go .”
“ But what is one to do in this world ? We cannot
always do whatwe want ; I am dragged thither by fate
in spite of myself. I know I had better not go, and
nevertheless I shall go .”
“ Well, then, to-morrow, at the Opera.”
66
Yes, agreed.”
“ At what time."
66
Half-past twelve midnight, if that will suit you.”
“ And whereabouts ? "
“ In the foyer—at one, I will be in front of the
clock .”
- That is understood .”
We then shook hands and he left the house quickly.
It was on the stroke of twelve.
As for me, I occupied myself all the afternoon and
all the next day in those employments as a man is
obliged to undertake on his return from a lengthened
tour.
At half-past twelve o'clock at night I was at the

rendezvous .
Louis had been waiting some time—he had been
following a mask which he thought he recognized, but
the lady had been lost in the crowd, and he had not
been able to rejoin her .
I wished to speak of Corsica, but Louis was too absent
to follow out such a grave subject of conversation. His
eyes were constantly fixed on the clock, and suddenly
he rushed away from my side, exclaiming :
“Ah, there is my bouquet of violets."
He pushed through the crowd to join a woman who,
evidently with a purpose, was holding a large bouquet
of violets in her hand .
There were bouquets of every species in the foyer,
and I myself was soon accosted by a bouquet of camel
lias, which congratulated me upon my safe return to
Paris .
To the camellias succeeded a bouquet of rose
pompons.
To these succeeded a bouquet of heliotrope.
In fact I was engaged with my fifteenth bouquet
when I encountered D- .
66
Ah, is it you, mon cher ?” he cried. “ Welcome
back ; you have returned just in time. I have a little
supper party this evening - so -and -so and so -and- so
and we shall count upon you .”
“ A thousand thanks, my dear fellow ; but though I
am strongly tempted to accept your invitation, I can't .
I am engaged to somebody.”
“Yes ; but everyone else will bring somebody also,"
said D- “ It is quite understood that there are to
be six water- bottles, whose destiny it is to refresh

bouquets."
“ Ah, you are mistaken. I shall have no bouquet to
put in a water -bottle ; I am with a friend."
Well, you know the proverb, “ Friends of our
friends . ' '
“ It is a young gentleman whom you do not know. ''
“ Well, then, we will make his acquaintance.”
“ I will tell him of his good fortune.”
“ Yes, and if he decline, bring him by force .”
" I will do what I can , I promise you. At what
time ? "
“ Three o'clock ; but as supper will remain on table
till six you have ample margin .”
“ Very well.”
A bouquet of myosotis, which perhaps had heard the
latter portion of our conversation , then took D_'s
arm and walked on with him .
Shortly afterwards I met Louis, who had by this
time got rid of his violets.
As the lady who honoured me with her attention just
then was a trifle dull, I despatched her to one of my
friends, and took Louis' arm .
66
Well, ” I said, “ have you learnt what you wanted
to know ? ”
“ Oh, yes ! You know that at a masked ball people
talk of the very things they ought to leave you in
ignorance of."
“ My poor friend,” I said, “ pardon me for thus
addressing you ; but it appears to me that I know you
since I have known your brother. Look here-- you are
unhappy, are not you ? Now what is it ? "
“ Oh, my goodness ! Nothing worth talking about.”

I saw that he did not wish to speak on the subject ,
so I said no more .
We took two or three turns in silence.-- I was quite
indifferent, for I expected nobody, but he was anx
iously examining every domino that passed.
At length I said , " Do you know what you might do
to -night ? "
He started like a man suddenly aroused .
“ I ! No. I beg your pardon ; what did you
say ? "”
“ I was about to propose a distraction which it
seems to me you need .”
" What is it ? >”
“ Come to supper with a friend of mine, with me. ”
1-I am not in a festive humour.”
" Oh , no
“ Bah ! They will talk nothing but nonsense, and
that will amuse you ."
>
" Well - but I am not invited !
“ You mistake - for you are."
“ It is very kind on your part — but 'pon my word I
am not worthy of
Just then we crossed D- - He seemed very
much engaged with his bouquet of myosotis. Never
theless he saw me.
Well,” he said, “ is it settled ? Three o'clock .”
“ Less settled than ever," I replied- " I cannot join
you.”
“ Go to the Devil, then !
And with this pious ejaculation he continued his
course .
“ Who is that gentleman ? " inquired Louis.

G
" That is D > one of my friends ; a very cheerful

youth, though he is the manager of one of our most
respectable papers.”
“ Monsieur D-- ! ” exclaimed Louis. • Do you
know him ? "
Certainly. I have known him for some years.
“ And is he the person with whom you are invited
to sup this evening ? "
Yes, the same.'
“ Then it was to his house you intended to take
me ?
Yes .”
" Then that alters the case. I accept, and with very
great pleasure.”
“ All right. That settles the question." >
Perhaps, after all, I ought not to go,” muttered

Louis, smiling sadly. “ But you remember what I
said yesterday about my destiny. Here is the proof.
I should have done better not to have come here this
evening.”
At this moment we again encountered D. - >
“ My
dear fellow ," I said , “ I have changed my mind ! ”
“ And you will join us ? ”
" Yes .”
“ Bravo ! But I ought to mention one thing. "
“ That is ?
“ That whoever sups with us to-night, sups with us
)
again to -morrow evening."
66
By what law of society is that ? ”
“ By the laws of the wager made with Chateau
Renaud ."
I felt Louis' arm quiver as it rested on mine-I
turned round ; but though his face was deadly pale, it

was impassable.
“ What is the wager ? I inquired.
66
Oh, it would occupy too much time to repeat here,
and, besides, some one interested might overhear, and
it might thus be lost.”
"“ What wonderful discretion you possess ! At
three, then ."
" At three ! ”
Once more we separated, and as I glanced at the
clock I saw it then was thirty -five minutes past two.
“ Do you know this M. de Chateau Renaud ? ” asked
Louis, who vainly attempted to command his voice,
and to conceal his emotion .
66
Only by sight. I have met him occasionally in
۱‫و‬
society."
“ Then he is not a friend of yours ? "
“ Not even an acquaintance .
6
Ah, so much the better, ” replied Louis.
66
Why so ? ”
“ For no particular reason .
" But do you know him ?
" Indirectly ."
Notwithstanding this evasive answer, it was easy
to perceive that between Louis and Chateau Renaud
there existed one of those mysterious bonds which
could only be forged by a woman . An instinctive
feeling assured me that it would be best for all if he
and I returned home quietly.
“ Will you take my advice, Monsieur de Franchi,"
I said .
“ About what ? tell me ! ”
G 2
" Do not go to supper at D -'s house . '

Why not ? Does he not expect us. Have you not
told him that you will bring a friend ? '
>
“ Yes, but that is not the point.”

“ What is the point then."
>
“ I am sure you had better not go, that is all ! ”
“ But surely you have some reason to give for your
change of opinion ? just now you were insisting on my
presence at D —— 's against my will."
s
“ I did not then know that we should meet Chateau

Renaud ,”
‘ But that is all the better. I believe he is a very
pleasant companion, and I shall be glad to make his
acquaintance."
“Very well, " I replied—“ so be it. Shall we go
now ? "
We accordingly went downstairs for our paletots.
D-- lived within a short distance of the opera
house, the morning was very fine, and I hoped that the
open air would enliven my companion . So I proposed
that we should walk, and this he agreed to.
CHAPTER XIII.
We found many of my friends assembled - habitués of
the opera lobbies and of the greenroom, and, as I had
expected, a few unmasked “ bouquets ” anxious for the
time to come when the water-bottles would be used
supper time !
I introduced Louis to several friends, and it is need
less to say that he was politely received and welcomed.
Ten minutes after our arrival D—- entered, accom
panied by his bouquet of myosotis, who unmasked her
self with a freedom and precision which argued a long
acquaintance with these sort of parties.
I introduced Louis to D—
“ Now ,” said B- > “ if all the presentations have been
made, I suggest that we present ourselves at table.”
“All the presentations are made, but all the guests
have not arrived,” replied D
“ Who is expected then ? "
“ Chateau Renaud is still wanting to complete the
party."
· Ah, just so. By- the-by, was there not some bet ? ”
“ Yes. We laid a wager of a supper for twelve,
that he would not bring a certain lady here to-night."
“ And who is the lady," asked the bouquet of myosotis,
" who is so very shy as to be made the subject of aa bet ? ”
I looked at Louis de Franchi. He was outwardly
composed, but pale as a corpse.
“Faith, I don't know that there is any great harm
in telling you her name, especially as none of you

know her I think . She is Madame
Louis placed his hand upon D ' s arm.
66
Monsieur ,” he said ; “ Will you grant me a favour ?

As a new acquaintance I venture to ask it ! ”
“What is it, monsieur ? ”
“ Do not name the lady who is expected with M. de
Chateau Renaud, you know she is a married woman ! ”
66
Oh yes,
but her husband is at Smyrna, in the East
Indies, in Mexico, or some such place. When a
husband lives so far away it is nearly the same as
having no husband at all.”
“ Her husband will return in a few days. I know
him . He is a gallant fellow. I would wish , if possible,
to spare him the chagrin of learning on his return that
his wife had made one at this supper-party.”
66
Excuse me, monsieur,” said D- “ I was not
>
aware that you are acquainted with the lady, and I

did not think she was married. But since you know
her and her husband
“ I do know them ."
“ Then we must exercise greater discretion. Ladies
and gentlemen, whether Chateau Renaud comes or not
-whether he wins or loses his bet, I must beg of you
all to keep this adventure secret .”
We all promised, not because our moral senses were
offended, but because we were hungry and wished to
begin our supper .
“ Thank you, monsieur,” said Louis to D—, hold
ing out his hand to him. “ I assure you you are
acting like aa thorough gentleman in this matter."
We then passed into the supper-room , and each one
took his allotted place. Two chairs were vacant, those
reserved for Chateau Renaud and his expected com

panion.
The servant was about to remove them.
>
“ No,” said the master, “ let them remain ; Chateau
Renaud has got antil four o'clock to decide his wager.
9
At four o'clock if he is not here he will have lost .”
I could not keep my eyes from Louis de Franchi ; I
saw him watching the timepiece anxiously. It was
then 3.40 A.M.
“ Is that clock right ? " asked Louis .
“ That is not my concern,” said D- , laughing
“ I set it by Chateau Renaud's watch, so that there may
be no mistake.”
“Well, gentlemen ," said the bouquet of myosotis,
“ it seems we cannot talk of anything but Chateau
Renaud and his unknown fair one. We are getting
horribly slow ,' I think."
“ You are quite right, my dear,” replied V.
There are so many women of whom we can speak, >
and who are only waiting to be spoken to

“ Let us drink their health ,” cried D
So we did, and then the champagne went round
briskly ; every guest had a bottle at his or her elbow.
I noticed that Louis scarcely tasted his wine ;
“ Drink, man ! ”" I whispered : “ don't you see that she
will not come ?
“ It still wants a quarter to four,” said he ; " at four
o'clock, even though I shall be late in commencing, I
promise you I will overtake some of you ."
>
“ Oh, very well ! ” I replied.
While we had been exchanging these few words in
a low tone, the conversation had become general around
the table. Occasionally D --- and Louis glanced at
the clock, which ticked regularly on without any care

for the impatience of the two men who were so intent
upon its movements,
At five minutes to four I looked at Louis .
“ To your health , ” I said.
He took his glass, smiled, and raised it to his lips.
He had drunk about half its contents when a ring was
heard at the front door.
I did not think it possible that Louis could become
any paler than he was, but I saw my mistake then.
“ 'Tis he,” he muttered.
“ Yes, but perhaps he may have come alone,” I
1
replied .
“ We shall see in a moment."
The sound of the bell had attracted everybody's
attention, and the most profound silence suddenly
succeeded the buzz of conversation which had till then
prevailed.
Then the sound of talking was heard in the ante
room .
D rose and opened the door.
" I can recognize her voice,” said Louis, as he grasped
my arm with a vice-like grip.
“ We shall see ! wait ! be a man ! I answered . 66 It
must be evident that if she has thus come to supper
with a man, of her own will, to the house of a stranger,
she is not worthy your sympathy."
“ I beg, madam , that you will enter,” said D—-'s
voice in the outer room. “ We are all friends here I
assure you . "
“ Yes, come in, my dear Emily, ” said M. de Chateau
Renaud, “ you need not take off your mask if you do
not wish do so ."
“ The wretch , ” muttered Lonis.

At that moment a lady entered , dragged in rather
than assisted by D - 4 , who fancied he was doing the
honours, and by Chateau Renaud .
“ Three minutes to four,” said Chateau Renaud to
D—-, in a low voice.
“ Quite right, my dear fellow, you have won ."
“ Not yet, monsieur, ” said the young unknown
addressing Chateau Renaud, and drawing herself up to
her full height. “ I can now understand your per
sistence . You laid a wager that I would sup here. Is
that so ? ”
Chateau Renaud was silent. Then addressing
D - 4 , she continued.
“ Since this man cannot answer, will you, monsieur,
reply. Did not M. de Chateau Renaud wager that he
would bring me here to supper to- night ? ”
“ I will not hide from you, madame, that he flattered
us with that hope," replied D—
Well , then, M. de Chateau Renaud has lost, for I
was quite unaware he was bringing me here. I believed
we were to sup at the house of a friend of my own .
So it appears to me that M. de Chateau Renaud has
not won his wager .”
“ But now you are here, my dear Emily, you may as
well remain ; won't you ? See, we have a good
company and some pleasant young ladies too ! ”
“ Now that I am here ,” replied the anknown, “ I
will thank the gentleman who appears to be the master
of the house for the courtesy with which he has treated
me. But as, unfortunately, I cannot accept his polite
invitation I will beg M. Louis de Franchi to see me
home.”
Louis with a bound placed himself between the

speaker and Chateau Renaud.
“ I beg to observe, madam ,” said the latter between
his shut teeth, “ that I brought you hither and con
sequently I am the proper person to conduct you
home.”
66
Gentlemen ,” said the unknown, “ you are five, I put
myself into your honourable care . I trust you will
defend me from the violence of M. de Chateau
Renaud ! ”
Chateau Renaud made a movement. We all rose at
once .
66 66
“Very good, madame, " he said . 6. You are at
liberty. I know with whom I have to reckon.”
" If you refer to me, sir," replied Louis de Franchi
with an air of hauteur impossible to describe, " you
will find me all day to-morrow at the Rue du Helder,
No. 7."
66
" Very well , monsieur. Perhaps I shall not have
the pleasure to call upon you myself, but I hope that
two friends of mine may be as cordially received in
my place.”
“ That was all that was necessary,” said Louis,
shrugging his shoulders disdainfully. "“ A challenge
>
before a lady ! Come , madame," he continued , offering
his arm . “ Believe me , I thank you from the bottom of
my heart for the honour you do me.”
And then they left the room, amidst the most pro
found silence.
“Well, gentlemen, so it seems I have lost," said
66
Chateau Renaud, when the door closed. “ That's all
settled ! To -morrow evening all of you sup with me
at the Frères Provençaux ."
CHAPTER XIV.
The next day, or rather the same day, at ten o'clock,

I called upon M. Louis de Franchi.
As I was ascending the staircase, I met two young
men coming down. One was evidently a civilian, the
other wore the Legion of Honour, and though in mufti
I could see he was an officer.
I had, no doubt, that these gentlemen had just been
with M. de Franchi, and I watched them downstairs.
Then I continued my way to Louis' apartments and
rang the bell .
The servant opened the door. His master was in his
study.
When the man announced me, Louis, who was
writing, looked up and exclaimed
“ Ah, welcome ! I was just writing to you. I am
very glad to see you. Joseph, ΙI am not at home to any
one . ”
The servant went out and left us alone.
“ Didn't you meet two gentlemen upon the stairs ? "
asked Louis, as he placed aa chair.
“Yes, one of them was decorated.”
“ The same .”
>
" I fancied they had called upon you."
“ You are quite right."
“ Did they come on behalf of M. de Chateau Renaud ?”
66
They are his seconds."
“ Ah ! so he has taken this matter seriously it seems.”
>
“ He could scarcely do otherwise," replied Louis.
“ So they came to— . ”

“ To request me to name two friends who would con
fer with them ; II thought of you .”
“ I am really honoured by your kindness. But I
cannot go alone.”
“ I have also written to ask an old friend, the Baron
Giordano Martelli, to breakfast here. He will come at
eleven. We will breakfast together, and at twelve,
perhaps, you will be kind enough to go and see these
gentlemen who have promised to remain at home until
three o'clock. Here are their names and addresses."
Louis handed me two cards as he spoke.
One card represented the Baron René de Chateau
grand, the other M. Adrien de Boissy.
The former lived in the Rue de la Paix, No. 12.
The latter, who I now saw, belonged to the army,
was a lieutenant of Chasseurs d'Afrique, and lived in
the Rue de Lille, No. 29.
I turned the cards over and over in my fingers.
66
Well, what embarrasses you ? ” asked Louis.
“ I should like to be told frankly if you look
upon
this as a serious matter. You know we must mould
our conduct upon that.”
“ Indeed, I do consider it a very serious matter. You
heard me place myself at M. de Chateau Renaud's dis
posal, he has sent to me. I must now go with the
current. "
“ Yes, of course, but after all — _ "
“ Go on ,” said Louis, smilingly.
“ After all,” I continued , ( 6 we must know what you
are going to fight for. We cannot put two men up to
cut and slash each other without having some ground
for the encounter.”
Very well, let me tell you in as few words as possible,

the head and front of the offending.
“ When I first arrived in Paris I was introduced by
a friend of mine, a captain in the navy, to his wife .
She was young and beautiful. She made a deep
impression upon me, and as I was really afraid I might
end by falling in love with her, I very rarely went to
my friend's house, although frequently pressed to do
SO .
66
" Myfriend was rather piqued at my absence, and at
last I frankly told him the truth , that his wife being
so charming I was rather afraid to go to his house. He
laughed, shook hands with me, and asked me, even
pressed me, to dine with him that same evening.
“ My dear Louis, ' said he, after dinner. ' In аa few
weeks I shall sail for Mexico. I may be absent three
months, perhaps six - or longer. We sailors sometimes
know when we shall sail, but never when we may
return. To you,, I commend Emily during my absence.
Emily, I beg of you to look upon M. Louis de Franchi
as a brother. '
“ The lady gave me her hand in token of agreement.
I was stupefied ! I did not know what to say, and I
daresay I appeared very stupid to my future sister.
• Three weeks after this my friend sailed.
During those three weeks he insisted that I should
dine at least once a week with them en famille.
“ Emily's mother then came to live with her. I need
scarcely say that her husband's confidence was not
abused, and though I loved her dearly I regarded her
simply as a sister.
“ Six months elapsed .
66
Emily's mother still remained with her, but when he
went away, her husband had entreated her to receive

as usual .There was nothing my poor friend had a
greater horror of than to appear as a jealous husband.
He adored Emily and had every confidence in her.
“ So Emily continued to receive, and they were very
friendly receptions. But her mother's presence silenced
all scandal or cause for it, and no one could say a word
against her reputation.
At the end of three months or so M. de Chateau
Renaud appeared .
“ You believe in presentiments, I daresay. When I
first saw that man I disliked him and would not speak
to him. I hated him .
“ But why I disliked him I cannot tell you. I did !
“ Most likely because I saw that even at his first
appearance Emily seemed inclined to like him, and he
evidently admired her. Perhaps I am mistaken , but,
as at the bottom of my heart I had never ceased to love
Emily, I suspect I was jealous.
“ So on the next occasion I did not lose sight of M.
de Chateau Renaud. Perhaps he noticed my looks
and it seemed to me that he was chatting in under.
tones to Emily and holding me up to ridicule.
“ Had I yielded to my feelings I would have chal.
lenged him that evening, but I reflected that such con
duct would be absurd, and restrained myself.
* Every Wednesday thenceforth was a greater trial
than the last.
“ M. de Cahteau Renaud is quite a man of the world,
a dandy-a lion—I know how superior he is to me in
many respects. But it seems to me that Emily values
him more highly than he deserves.
“ Soon I found out that I was not the only one who
remarked her preference for M. de Chateau Renaud,

and this preference increased to such an extent and
became so obvious that one day Giordano, who like me
was an habitué of the house, spoke to me about it.
“ From that moment my resolution was taken. I
determined to speak to Emily on the subject, convinced
that she was only acting thoughtlessly and I had but
to call her attention to the matter to have it reme
died .
“ But to my great astonishment she took my remon
strances in joke, pretended that I was mad, and that
those who agreed with me were as stupid as I was.
“ However, I insisted.
“ Emily only replied, that she would leave to my
own decision as to whether a man in love was not neces
sarily a prejudiced judge.
“ I remained perfectly stupefied ; her husband must
have told her everything.
“ Now you will understand that under these circum
stances, and being an unhappy and jealous lover, and
only making myself objectionable to the lady, I ceased
to visit at the house.
“ But although I did not go to her parties I did not
the less hear the gossip that was afloat, nor was I the
less unhappy, for these reports were assuming a tangible
shape.
“ I resolved therefore to write to her, and beg her in
the strongest language of which I was capable, for her
own and her husband's sake, to be careful. She never
answered my letter.
“ Some time afterwards I heard it publicly stated
that Emily was actually the mistress of Chateau
Renaud. What I suffered I cannot express.
“ It was then my poor brother became conscious of

my grief.
66
Then , after about a fortnight, you came back to
Paris . The very day you called upon me I received
an anonymous letter from a lady unknown appointing
a meeting at the Opera Ball.
“ This woman said that she had certain information to
convey to me respecting a lady friend of mine, whose
Christian name only she would mention.
“ The name was Emily.
“ My correspondent said I should recognize her by her
carrying a bouquet of violets.
“ I told you at the time that I did not wish to go to
the ball, but I repeat I was hurried thither by fate.
66
I went as you know. I found my domino at the
place at the hour indicated . She confirmed what I had
already heard respecting Chateau Renaud and Emily,
and if I wished proof, she would give it me, for Chateau
Renaud had made a bet that he would take his new
mistress to supper at M. D— 's house that evening.
“ Chance revealed to me that you knew M. D >
you suggested that I should accompany you. I ac

cepted, you know the rest."
“ Now, what more could I do but await and accept
the proposals that were made to me ? "
“ But,” I said, at length, as a sensation of fear crossed
my mind , “ I am afraid I heard your brother say that
you had never handled a sword or a pistol.
“ That is quite true !”
“ Then you are absolutely at the mercy of your
adversary !”
“ I cannot help it. I am in the hands of Provi.
dence .”
CHAPTER XV.
As Louis was speaking, the servant announced the

Baron Giordano Martelli.
He was a young Corsican from Sartène. He had
served in the 11th Regiment, in which his gallantry had
secured him promotion at the age of twenty -three.
Well,”” he said, after having bowed to me, “ so things
have come to a crisis, and no doubt you will soon have
a visit from the seconds of Monsieur de Chateau
Renaud."
“ They have been here already. "
6 I suppose they have left their names and ad
dresses ? ”
“ Here are their cards."
“ Good.”
Well, your servant has just told me that breakfast
is waiting. Suppose we sit down, and after breakfast
we can return their visit.”
We entered the Salle à manger, and put aside all
business for the present.
During the meal Louis questioned me closely con
cerning my journey in Corsica , and I told him all the
incidents with which the reader is acquainted. He
made me repeat, over and over again, all that his
mother and brother had said. He was quite touched ,
knowing the true Corsican instincts of Lucien, with
the care he had to taken to reconcile the Orlandi and
the Colona.
н
표
98 The Corsican Brothers,
The clock struck twelve .

“ I do not wish to hurry you, gentlemen ,” said
66
Louis , but I think you should return the visit of
those gentlemen. It will not do to put ourselves in
the wrong."
“ Oh, you may be quite easy on that point," I said,
we have plenty of time before us.”
“ No matter,” said the Baron Giordano, “ Louis is
right.”
“ Now ,” said I, " we must know whether you prefer
to fight with sword or pistol ? ”
“ Ah ,” he replied , “ it is all the same to me ; I know
as little about one as the other. Besides, Monsieur de
Chateau Renaud will save me all trouble in choosing ;
he looks upon himself, no doubt, as the offended party,
and as such will retain the choice of weapons.”
“ However, the offence is doubtful, you only offered
your arm, as you were asked to do.”
“ My opinion is, ” said Louis, “ that all discussion
should tend towards a peaceable arrangement of this
matter. My tastes are not warlike, as you know. Far
from being a duellist, this is the first affair of the kind
I have had, and just for this very reason I wish to
come well out of it ."
“ That is very easy to say, my friend, but youhave to
play for your life, and you leave to us and before your
family the responsibility of the result."
Ah, as to that you may make your mind quite
easy , I know my mother and brother well enough ;
they would only ask whether I had conducted myself
as a brave man , and if you replied in the affirmative
they would be satisfied .”
66
* But, hang it, we must know which arm you
prefer."
66
Well, if they propose pistols, accept them at

7
once ?
"
“ That is my advice, also , ” said the Baron .
“ Very well, then, the pistol be it," I replied, "since
that is the advice of both of you, but the pistol is a
horrible weapon ." >
“ Have I time to learn to fence between this and

to -morrow ? "
66
No, unless, perhaps, you studied Grissier, and then
you might learn enough to defend yourself.”
Louis smiled .
“ Believe me,” said he, “ that what will happen to
morrow is already written on high, and whatever we
may do we cannot alter that.”
We then shook hands with him and went down .
stairs.
Our first visit was naturally to the nearer of the
two gentlemen who had called on behalf of our ad
versary .
We, therefore, visited Monsieur René de Chateau
grand, who lived, as we have said, at 12, Rue de la
Paix.
Any other visitors were forbidden while we were
calling, and we were at once introduced to his presence.
We found Monsieur de Chateaugrand a perfect man
of the world-he would not for one moment give us
the trouble of calling upon) Monsieur de Boissy - he
sent his own servant for him.
While we were waiting his appearance, we spoke of
everything but the subject which had brought us
H 2
IOO The Corsican Brothers.
thither, and in about ten minutes Monsieur de Boissy

arrived .
The two gentlemen did not advance any pretensions
to the choice of arms, the sword or pistol was equally
familiar to M. de Chateau Renaud . They were quite
willing to leave the selection to M. de Franchi, or to
toss up. A louis was thrown into the air, face for sword,
reverse for pistols. The coin came down reverse.
So it was decided. The combat was arranged to
take place next morning at nine o'clock , in the wood of
Vincennes, where the adversaries would be placed at
twenty paces, and after the third signal given by clap
ping the hands they were to fire.
We returned to convey this decision to Louis de
Franchi.
On my return home the same evening, I found the
cards of MM. de Chateaugrand and de Boissy.
The Corsican Brothers. IOI
CHAPTER XVI.
Ar eight o'clock that evening I called upon M. Louis

de Franchi, to inquire whether he had anything to
confide to me. But he begged me to wait till next
morning, saying :
“ The night will bring counsel with it.”
Next morning, therefore, instead of calling at eight,
which would have given us plenty of time to go to the
meeting, I called at half-past seven.
Louis was already writing in his study.
He looked up as I entered, and I noticed how very
pale he was.
“ Excuse me,” he said , “ I am writing to my mother .
You will find the morning papers there ; if you can
amuse yourself with them you will see a charming
feuilleton by M. Méry in the Presse.”
I took the paper thus indicated, and contrasted the
livid pallor of the speaker with his calm and sweet
voice .
I endeavoured to read, but I could not fix my atten
tion, the letters brought no meaning with them .
In about five minutes Louis said,
“ There, I have finished.” And he rang for his
valet.
Joseph ,” said he, “ I am at home to no one, not
even to the Baron Giordano. If he calls, ask him to
wait in the salon . I wish to be alone with this gentle.
men for ten minutes ."
The valet shut the door and disappeared.

66
Now, my dear Alexander, listen. Giordano is a
Corsican, and has Corsican ideas. I cannot, therefore,
confide all I desire to him . I will ask him to keep the
secret, that's all . But as regards yourself, I wish you ,
if you will permit me, to request that you will promise
to observe my instructions."
66 7
Certainly. Is not that the duty of a second ?
“ A duty more real than you imagine, for you can
save our family a second misfortune if you will."
666 A second misfortune ! ” I exclaimed .
“ Wait. Read this letter."
I took the letter addressed to Madame de Franchi,
and read as follows, with growing astonishment :
“ MY DEAREST MOTHER,—
“ If I did not know that you possessed
Spartan fortitudo allied with Christian submission , I
would have used means to prepare you for the blow in
store for you—for when you receive this letter you
will have but one son !
66
Lucien, my dear brother, love our mother for both
in future.
“ For some time I have been suffering from brain
fever . I paid no attention to the premonitory symp
toms — the doctor came too late. Darling mother,
there is no hope for me now. I cannot be saved but
by a miracle, and what right have I to suppose that
Providence will work aa miracle on my behalf ?
“ I am writing to you in a lucid interval. If I die,
this letter will be posted immediately after my death ;
for in the selfishness of my love for you I wish that
you should know that I am dead without regretting

anything in the world except your tenderness and my
brother's.
" Adieu , mother !
" Do not weep for me . It is the soul that lives , not
the body, and when the latter perishes the former will
still live and love you .
“ Adieu, Lucien ! Never leave our mother ; and
remember that she has you only to look to now.
“ Your Son ,
“ Your Brother,
• LOUIS DE FRANCHI."
When I had finished the letter I turned to the

writer and said,
>
“ Well, and what does this mean ?

>
“ Do you not understand ? he said.
" No !”
“ I am going to be shot at ten minutes past nine.”
“ You are going to be shot ? ”
- Yes.”
“ You are mad ! Why, what has put such an idea
into your head ? "
“ I am not mad, mydearfriend. I have been warned
>
—that's all.”
“Warned ! By whom ? ”
“ My brother has already told you, I think, that the
male members of our family enjoy a singular privi
lege ? ”
“ True," I replied, shuddering, in spite of myself.
“ He spoke to me about apparitions.”
" Quite so. Well, then, my father appeared to me
last night. That is why you find me so pallid. The

sight of the dead pales the living ! ”
I gazed at him with astonishment, not unmixed with
terror.
66 You saw your father last night, you say ?"
66 Yes.”
"
“ And he spoke to you ?
“ He announced my death ! ”
66
Oh, it was some terrible dream ! ”
“ It was a terrible reality .”
“ You were asleep, my friend."
“ I was wide awake. Do you not believe that a
father can appear to his son ? ”
I hung my head, for at the bottom of my heart I did
believe in the possibility.
“What passed between you ? " I asked.
“ It is very simple and very natural story. I was
reading, expecting my father — for I knew if any danger
threatened that he would appear to me—and at mid
night the lamp burnt low, the door opened slowly, and
>
my father appeared ."

“ In what form ? " I asked.
- Just as if he were alive - dressed in his usual man
ner-only he was very pale, and his eyes were without
expression ."
“ Good heavens ! ” I ejaculated.
“ He slowly approached my bed . I raised myself
with my elbow, and said , ' You are welcome, father .' ”
“ He came close, and regarded me fixedly, and it
then appeared to me as if some sort of paternal soli
citude was expressed in his face.”
“ Go on ,” I said ; " this is terrible ! ”
“ Then his lips moved, and, though I could hear no

sound, I seemed to hear his words distinctly, though
distant as an echo.”
“ What did he say ? ”
“6. Think of God, my son ! '
" I shall be killed in this duel, then ? ' I asked.
“ I saw the tears roll down the pallid visage of the
spectre. >
666 And at what hour ? '
“ He pointed towards the timepiece. I followed the
direction of his finger. The clock showed ten minutes
past nine .
666 6
« « So be it, my father,' I said1 ; God's will be
done. I leave my mother, but I rejoin you . '
“ Then a faint smile passed over his face, he waved
me a sign of farewell and glided away.
“ The door opened as he advanced towards it, and
he had disappeared it shut of its own accord.”
This recital was so simply and so naturally told,
that it was evident to me the event had occurred
just as de Franchi had related it, or he was the
victim of an illusion, which he had believed to be
real in consequence of the pre-occupation of his mind ,
and was therefore all the more terrible.
I wiped the perspiration from my forehead.
“ Now ,” continued Louis ; " you know my brother,
don't you ?
66
Yes.”
“ What do you think he will do when he learns that
I have been killed in aa duel ? "
“ He will leave Sullacaro at once to challenge the
man who has killed you ."
“ Just so ," and if he is killed in his turn, mymother

will be thrice a widow ; widowed by the loss of her
husband, widowed by the loss of her two sons.”
“ Ah ! I understand . This is fearful ! ”
“ Well, this must be avoided, and that is why I have
written this letter. Believing that I have died from
brain fever my brother will not seek to avenge me, and
my mother will be the more easily consoled, knowing it
was the will of God, and that I did not fall by the
hand of man . At least- -- "
“ At least what ? ” I repeated.
“ Oh, nothing," replied Louis. “ I hope that will
not come to pass.”
I saw that he was referring to some personal fear,
and I did not insist farther.
At this moment the door opened, and the Baron de
Giordano entered .
9
“ My dear de Franchi,” he said, “ I respect your
privacy more than anything, but it is past eight, and
the meeting is appointed for nine ; we have quite a
league and a half to drive, and we should start at
once. "
“ I am ready, my dear fellow ,” said Louis. “ I have
told my friend here all I had to say to him .”
He put his finger on his lips as our eyes met.
>
" For you, my friend," he continued , turning to
the table and taking up a sealed letter, there is 66
this ; if anything should happen to me read this

letter, and I pray you to carry out my request contained
in it.”
“ To the very letter,” replied the Baron .
“ You were to provide the arms,” said Louis.
“ Yes ," I replied, “ but just as I was coming away I

found that one of the dogs did not bark properly, so
we shall be obliged to get a case of pistols from
Devisme .
Louis looked at me, smiled, and held out his hand .
He knew quite well that I did not wish to see him
killed with my pistols.
“Have you a carriage ? ” he asked ; " if not I will
send Joseph for one.
66
My coupé is here, ” said the Baron , " and can carry
three at a pinch ; besides, my horses will take us more
quickly than a fiacre."
“ Let us go," said Louis.
We went downstairs. Joseph was waiting at the door.
“ Shall I accompany you, sir ? ” he said.
“ No, Joseph ," replied his master, “ I shall not
require your services to -day."
Then, stepping back a pace and pressing a roll of
gold into the man's hand, he said, “ Take this, and if at
any time I have appeared brusque to you, pardon my
ill-humour.”
“ Oh , monsieur ! ” said Joseph,with tears in his eyes,
2
“ what is the meaning of this ? ”

“ Chut ! ” said Louis, and he sprang into the carriage.
“ He is a good servant,” he murmured, " and if either
of you can ever be of use to him I shall be obliged .”
“ Is he about to leave you ? ” said the Baron.
“ No," said Louis, smiling ; " I am leaving him , that
is all ! ”
We stopped at Devismes just long enough to secure
a case of pistols, powder and bullets, and then resumed
our way at a brisk trot.
CHAPTER XVII.
We reached Vincennes at five minutes to nine .
Another carriage, that of Chateau Renaud, arrived at
the same time.
We proceeded into the wood by different paths. Our
carriages were to await us in the broad avenue. A few
minutes later we met at the rendezvous.
66
Gentlemen ,” said Louis, “ recollect thatno arrange
ment is possible now .”
“ Nevertheless ," I said
“ Oh, my dear sir," he replied, “ after what I have
told you, you should be the last person to think that
any reconciliation is possible.”
I bowed before this absolute will, which for me was
supreme.
We left Louis near the carriages, and advanced to .
wards M. de Boissy and M. de Chateaugrand.
The Baron de Giordano carried the case of pistols.
The seconds exchanged salutes.
66
Gentlemen,” said the Baron, “under these circum .
stances the shortest compliments are the best, for we
may be interrupted any moment. We were requested
to provide weapons— here they are. Examine them if
you please. We have just procured them from the gun
smith, and we give you our word of honour that M.
Louis de Franchi has not even seen them . ”
66
Such an assurance is unnecessary, gentlemen , ” re

66
plied Chateaugrand , we know with whom we have to
deal," and taking one pistol, while M. de Boissy took

the other, the seconds examined the bore.
“ These are ordinary pistols, and have never been
used,” said the Baron ; “ now the question is, how shall
the principals fire.”
“ My advice,” said M.de Boissy, “ is that they should
fire just as they are accustomed to do, together.”
“ Very well,” said the Baron Giordano, " then all
chances are equalized."
“ Will you advise M. de Franchi, then , and we will
tell M. de Chateau Renaud, monsieur."
“ Now that is settled, will you have the goodness
>
to load the pistols ? ”

Each one took a pistol, measured carefully the
charges of powder, took two bullets at hazard, and
rammed them home.
While the weapons were being loaded, I approached
Louis, who received me with a smile.
“ You won't forget what I asked you ? ” . he said,
.
“ and you will obtain from Giordano a promise that he

will say nothing to my mother, or even to my brother.
Will you take care, also, that this affair does not get
into the papers, or, if it does, that no names are
mentioned .”
“ You are still of opinion, then, this duel will prove
fatal to you ?” I said.
“ I am more than ever convinced of it, ” he replied,
“ but you will do me this justice at least, that I met
death like a true Corsican .”
“ My dear de Franchi, your calmness is so astound
ing that it gives me hopes that you yourself are not
convinced on this point."
Louis took out his watch.
IIO The Corsican Brothers.
“ I have but seven minutes to live,” he said ; 66" here is

my watch, keep it, I beg of you, in remembrance of
>
me.” I took the watch, and shook my friend's hand.

“ In eight minutes I hope to restore it to you,” I said.
66
“ Don't speak of that,” he replied. See, here are
the others .”
66
Gentlemen , ” said the Viscount de Chateaugrand ,
66
a little distance from here, on the right, is an open
space where I had a little practice of my own last
year ; shall we proceed thither ? we shall be less liable
to interruption .'
66
If you will lead the way, ” said the Baron Giordano,
we will follow .”
The Viscount preceded us to the spot indicated. It
was about thirty paces distant, at the bottom of a
gentle slope surrounded on all sides by a screen of
brushwood , and seemed fitted by nature as the theatre
of such an event as was about to take place.
“ M. Martelli,”> said the Viscount, will you measure
the distance by me? ” The Baron assented, and thus
side by side he and M. de Chateaugrand measured
twenty ordinary paces .
I was then left for a few seconds alone with M. de
Franchi .
66
Apropos,” he said, 66you will find my will on the
table where I was writing when you came in this
morning."
66
Good,” I replied, " you may rest quite easy on that
score .”
“ When you are ready, gentlemen,” said the Viscount
de Chateaugrand .
“ I am here," replied Louis. “ Adieu, dear friend !
thank you for all the trouble you have taken for me,
The Corsican Brothers. III
without counting all you will have to do for me later

on.” I pressed his hand. It was cold, but perfectly
steady.
“ Now ," I said, “ forget the apparition of last night,
and aim your best.”
“ You remember de Freyschutz ? "
“ Yes.”
“Well, you know, then, that every bullet has its
billet. Adieu !”
He met the Baron Giordano, who handed him the
pistol ; he took it, and, without looking at it, went and
placed himself at the spot marked by the handkerchief.
M. de Chateau Renaud had already taken up his
position .
There was a moment of mournful silence, during
which the young men saluted their seconds, then their
adversary's seconds, and finally each other.
M. de Chateau Renaud appeared perfectly accus
tomed to these affairs, and was smiling like a man sure
of success ; perhaps, also, he was aware that Louis de
Franchi never had fired a pistol in his life.
Louis was calm and collected, his fine head looked
almost like a marble bust.
“Well, gentlemen ,” said Chateau Renaud, " you see
we are waiting."
Louis gave me one last glance, and smiling, raised
his eyes to heaven .
“ Now , gentlemen , make ready,” said Chateaugrand.
Then , striking his hands one against the other, he cried
“ One ! Two ! Three ! ”.
The two shots made but one detonation.
An instant afterwards I saw Louis de Franchi turn
round twice and then fall upon one knee.
M. de Chateau Renaud remained upright. The

lappel of his coat had been shot through.
I rushed towards Louis de Franchi.
“ You are wounded ? ” I said .
He attempted to reply, but in vain . A red froth
appeared upon his lips.
At the same moment he let fall his pistol , and pressed
his hand against his right side.
On looking closely, we perceived a tiny hole not
large enough for the point of a little finger.
I begged the Baron to hasten to the barracks, and
bring the surgeon of the regiment.
But de Franchi collected all his strength, and stop
ping Giordano, signed that all assistance would be use.
less. This exertion caused him to fall on both knees.
M. de Chateau Renaud kept at a distance, but his
seconds now approached the wounded man .
Meanwhile, we had opened his coat and torn away
his waistcoat and shirt.
The ball had entered the right side, below the sixth
rib, and had come out a little above the left hip.
At each breath the wounded man drew, the blood
welled out. It was evident he was mortally hurt.
“ M. de Franchi,” said the Viscount de Chateau-.
grand, " we regret extremely the issue of this sad
affair. We trust you bear no malice against M. de
Chateau Renaud.”
“ Yes, yes," murmured the wounded man , “ I forgive
him .”
Then turning towards me with an effort he said,
“ Remember your promise ! "
“ I swear to you I will do all you wish .”
“And now ,” he said, smiling, “look at the watch ! "
He breathed a long sigh, and fell back . That sigh

was his last.
I looked at the watch, it was exactly ten minutes
past nine .
I turned to Louis de Franchi- he was dead.
We took back the body to the Rue de Helder, and
while the Baron went to make the usual declaration
to the Commissary of Police, I went upstairs with
Joseph .
The poor lad was weeping bitterly.
As I entered , my eyes unconsciously turned towards
the timepiece ; it marked ten minutes past nine.
No doubt he had forgotten to wind it, and it had
stopped at that hour.
The Baron Giordano returned almost immediately
with the officers, who put the seals on the property .
The Baron wished to advise the relatives and friends
of the affair, but I begged him, before he did so, to
read the letter that Louis had handed to him before
we set out that morning.
The letter contained his request that the cause of
his death should be concealed from his brother, and
that his funeral should be as quiet as possible.
The Baron Giordano charged himself with these
details, and I sought MM. de Boissy and de Chateau
grand, to request their silence respecting the unhappy
affair, and to induce Chateau Renaud to leave Paris
for a time, without mentioning my reason for this
last suggestion.
They promised me to do all they could to meet my
views, and as I walked to Chateau Renaud's house I
posted the letter to Madame de Franchi, informing
her that her son had died of brain fever.
I
CHAPTER XVIII.
CONTRARY to custom, the duel was very little talked

about ; even the papers were silent on the subject.
A few intimate friends followed the body to Père la
Chaise. Chateau Renaud refused to quit Paris,
although pressed to do so .
At one time I thought of following Louis’ letter to
Corsica with one from myself, but although my in
tentions were good, the misleading statements I should
have to make were so repugnant to me that I did not
do so. Besides, I was quite convinced that Louis him
self had fully weighed before he had decided upon his
course of action .
So at the risk of being thought indifferent, or even
ungrateful, I kept silence, and I was sure that the
Baron Giordano had done as much.
Five days after the duel, at about eleven o'clock in
the evening, I was seated by my table in a rather
melancholy frame of mind, when my servant entered
and shutting the door quickly behind him said, in an
agitated whisper, that M. de Franchi desired to speak
with me.
I looked at him steadily ; he was quite pale.
“ Whom did you say, Victor ? ” I asked.
“ Oh , monsieur, in truth I hardly know myself. ”
“ What M. de Franchi wishes to speak to me ?
66 Monsieur's friend . The gentleman who was here
two or three times."
“ You are mad, my good man. Do you not know that
I had the misfortune to lose my friend five days ago ? ”
66
Yes, sir ; and that is the reason I am so upset.
He rang, I was in the ante -chamber, and opened the
door, but recoiled at his appearance. However, he

entered, and asked if you were at home. I replied
that you were, and then he said, “ Go and announce
M. de Franchi, who wishes to speak with your master ,'
and so I came.”
“ You are stupid, Victor, the ante-chamber is not
properly lighted. You were asleep, no doubt, and did not
hear correctly. Go, and ask the gentleman his name. "
“ It would be useless, sir. I swear to youI am not
deceived . I heard him, and saw him, distinctly .”
“ Then go and show him in .”
Victor turned tremblingly to the door, opened it,
and then standing still in the room, said
“ Will monsieur be kind enough to come in ? "
I immediately heard the footsteps of my visitor
crossing the ante -chamber, and sure enough, at the
door there appeared M. de Franchi .
I confess that I was terrified, and took a step back
wards as he approached.
“ I trust you will excuse my appearance so late, "
said my visitor ; “ I only arrived ten minutes ago, and
you will understand that I could not wait till to
morrow without seeing you."
“ Oh, my dear Lucien ," I exclaimed , advancing
quickly, and embracing him . “ Then it is really you .”
And, in spite of myself, tears really came into my eyes.
>
“ Yes," he said , “ it is I."
I made a calculation of the time that had elapsed ,
and could scarcely imagine that he had received the
letter -- it could hardly have reached Ajaccio yet.
“ Good Heavens ! then you do not know what has
happened ? " I exclaimed .
>
“ I know all,” was his reply.
I 2
“ Victor," I said, turning towards my servant, who

was still rather embarrassed ," leave us, and return in a
quarter of an hour with some supper. You will have
something to eat, and will sleep here of course . ”
“ With great pleasure," he replied. “ II have eaten
nothing since we left Auxerre. Then, as to lodgings,
as nobody knew me in the Rue de Helder, or rather,”
he added, with a sad smile, " as everybody recognized
me there, they declined to let me in, so I left the whole
house in a state of alarm .”
“ In fact, my dear Lucien, your resemblance to Louis
is so very striking that even I myself was just now
taken aback .”
“ How ," exclaimed Victor, who had not yet ventured
>
to leave us. " Is monsieur the brother
“ Yes," I replied, “ go and get supper.”
Victor went out, and we found ourselves alone.
I took Lucien by the hand, and leading him to an
easy chair seated myself near him.
“ I suppose (I began) you were on your way to Paris
>>
when the fatal news met you ?
“ No, I was at Sullacaro !
“ Impossible ! Why your brother's letter could not
have reached you."
“ You forget the ballad of Burger, my dear Alex .
ander - the dead travel fast !"
I shuddered ! “ I do not understand,” I said.
“ Have you forgotten what I told you about the
apparitions familiar to our family ? "
“ Do you mean to say that you have seen your dead
>
brother ? “ Yes .” _ “ When ? ”
“ On the night of the 16th inst.”
>
" And he told you everything ? " _ " All ! ”
" That he was dead ? ”
6. He told me that he had been killed. The dead
>
never lie !
“ And he said in what way ? ”
In a duel. "
“ By whom ?
66
“ By M. de Chateau Renaud . ”
“ Oh no, Lucien, that cannot be,” I exclaimed, “ you
have obtained your information in some other way.”
- Do you think I am likely to joke at such a time ? ”
“ I beg your pardon. But truly what you tell me
is so strange, and everything that relates to you and
your brother so out of ordinary nature, that
6. That you hesitate to believe it. Well, I can under
stand the feeling. But wait. My brother was hit
here,” he continued, as he opened his shirt and showed
me the blue mark of the bullet on his flesh, “ he was
wounded above the sixth rib on the right side - do you
believe that ? "
“ As a matter of fact," I replied, " that is the very
spot where he was hit."
“ And the bullet went out here,” continued Lucien,
putting his finger just above his left hip.
“ It is miraculous,” I exclaimed .
“ And now ,” he went on, “ do you wish me to tell
you the time he died ? "
“ Tell me ! ”
“ At ten minutes past nine.”
“ That will do, Lucien ; " I said, " but I lose myself
in questions. Give me a connected narrative of the
events. I should prefer it."
CHAPTER XIX .
Lucien settled himself comfortably in his arm-chair

and looking at me fixedly, resumed :
“ It is very simple . The day my brother was killed
I was riding very early, and went out to visit the
shepherds, when soon after I had looked at my watch
and replaced it in my pocket, I received aa blow in the
side, so violent that I fainted. When I recovered I
found myself lying on the ground in the arms of the
Orlandini, who was bathing my face with water. My
horse was close by. >
" Well ,' said Orlandini , what has happened ? '
6
“ I know no more about it than you do. Did you
>
not hear a gun fired ? '

56'No. '
“ It appears to me that I have received a ball in the
side,' and I put my hand upon the place where I felt
pain. 6 6
“ In the first place, ' replied he ' there has been no
shot fired, and besides, there is no mark of a bullet on
your clothes . '
“ Then ,' I replied, “ it must be my brother who is
killed . '
6
“ Ah, indeed,' he replied, that is a different thing .'
I opened my coat and I found a mark , only at first it
was quite red and not blue as I showed you just
now .
“ For an instant I was tempted to return to Sullacaro,

feeling so upset both mentally and bodily, but I thought
of my mother, who did not expect me before supper

time, and I should be obliged to give her a reason for
my return, and I had no reason to give.
“ On the other hand, I did not wish to announce my
brother's death to her until I was absolutely certain of
it. So I continued my way, and returned home about
six o'clock in the evening.
“ My poor mother received me as usual. She evi.
dently had no suspicion that anything was wrong.
“ Immediately after supper, I went upstairs, and as I
passed through the corridor the wind blew my candle
out.
“ I was going downstairs to get a light when , passing
my brother's room, I noticed a gleam within.
“ I thought that Griffo had been there and left a
lamp burning.
“ I pushed open the door ; I saw a taper burning near
my brother's bed, and on the bed my brother lay exten
ded, naked and bleeding.
“ I remained for an instant, I confess, motionless
with terror, then I approached.
“ I touched the body, he was already dead.
“ He had received a ball through the body, which
had struck in the same place where I had felt the blow,
and some drops of blood were still falling from the
wound .
“ It was evident to me that my brother had been
shot.
“ I fell on my knees, and leaning my head against the
bed , I prayed fervently.
“ When I opened my eyes again the room was in total
darkness, the taper had been extinguished , the vision
had disappeared.
I 20 The Corsican Brothers.
“ I felt all over the bed, it was empty.

" Now I believe I am as brave as most people, but
when I tottered out of that room I declare to you my
hair was standing on end and the perspiration pouring
from my forehead.
“ I went downstairs for another candle. My mother
noticed me, and uttered a cry of surprise.
6
“6. What is the matter with you ,' she said , “ and why
are you so pale ? '
“ There is nothing the matter,' I replied, as I re
turned upstairs .
“ This time the candle was not extinguished. I looked
into my brother's room ; it was empty.
“ The taper had completely disappeared , nor was
there any trace of the body on the bed,
“ On the ground was my first candle, which I now
relighted
“ Notwithstanding this absence of proof, I had seen
enough to be convinced that at ten minutes past nine
that morning my brother had been killed. I went to
bed in a very agitated frame of mind.
“ As youmay imagine, I did not sleep very well, but
at length fatigue conquered my agitation and I got a
little rest.
66
" Then all the circumstances came before me in the
form of a dream . I saw the scene as it had passed.
I saw the man who had killed him. I heard his name.
He is called M. de Chateau Renaud.”
“ Alas ! that is all too true," I replied ; " but what
have you come to Paris for ? "
“ I have come to kill the man who has killed my
>
brother .”
- To kill him ? '
“ Oh , you may rest assured , not in the Corsican

fashion from behind a wall or through a hedge, but in
the French manner, with white gloves on, a frilled
shirt, and white cuffs.''
“ And does Madame de Franchi know you have
come to Paris with this intention ? "
6. She does.”
“ And she has let you come ?
6
“ She kissed me, and said, ' Go. ' My mother is a
true Corsican .”
“ And so you came.”
“ Here I am ."
“ But your brother would not wish to be avenged
were he alive.”
66
Well, then ,” replied Lucien, smiling bitterly, “ he
must have changed his mind since he died .”
At this moment the valet entered, carrying the supper
tray.
Lucien eat like a man without a care in the world .
After supper I showed him to his room . He thanked
me, shook me by the hand, and wished me good-night.
Next morning he came into my room as soon as the
servant told him I was up .
“ Will you accompany me to Vincennes ? ” he said.
If you are engaged I will go alone."
" Alone !" I replied. “ How will you be able to find
the spot ? "
66
Oh, I shall easily recognize it. Do you not re
member that I saw it in my dream ? ”
I was curious to know how far he was correct in
this . “Very well,” I said , “ I will go with you. "
“ Get ready, then, while I write to Giordano. You
will let Victor take the note for me, will you not ? "
“ He is at your disposal.”
" Thank you."
Ten minutes afterwards the letter was despatched .
I then sent for a cabriolet and we drove to Vincennes.
When we reached the cross-paths Lucien said, “ We
are not far off now, I think.”
“ No ; twenty paces further on we shall be at the
spot where we entered the forest.”
“ Here we are,” said the young man, as he stopped
the carriage .
It was, indeed, the very spot !
Lucien entered the wood without the least hesitation,
and as if he had known the place for years. He
walked straight to the dell, and when there turned to
the eastward, and then advancing he stopped at the
place where his brother had fallen : stooping down he
perceived the grass wore the red tinge of blood.
“ This is the place,” he said.
Then he lightly kissed the spot where his brother
had lain.
Rising with flashing eyes he paced the dell to the
spot whence Chateau Renaud had fired .
“ This is where he stood ,” he said, stamping his foot,
“ and here he shall lie to-morrow ."
66
“ How ! ” I exclaimed. • To-morrow ! ”
“ Yes, unless he is a coward. For to -morrow he
shall give me my revenge."
* But, my dear Lucien , ” I said,
66
“ the custom in
France is, as you are aware, that a duel cannot take
place without aa certain reason . Chateau Renaud called
out your brother who had provoked him, but he has
had nothing to do with you."
Ah , really ! So Chateau Renaud had the right to
2
quarrel with my brother because he offered his arm to

a woman whom Chateau Renaud had scandalously
deceived, and according to you he had the right to
challenge my brother. M. de Chateau Renaud killed
my brother, who had never handled a pistol : he shot
him with the same sense of security that a man would
shoot a hare ; and yet you say I have no right to
challenge Chateau Renaud. Nonsense !”
I bowed without speaking.
“ Besides," he continued, " you have nothing to do
with it. You may be quite easy. I wrote to Giordano
this morning, and when we return to Paris all will
have been arranged. Do you think that M. de Chateau
Renaud will refuse ? ”
“ M. de Chateau Renaud has unfortunately a repu
tation for courage which may serve to remove any
doubt you may entertain on that score.”
“ All the better,” said Lucien. “ Let us go to break
fast.”
We returned to the road, and entering the cabriolet,
I told the man to drive to the Rue Rivoli.
66
No, ” said Lucien, “ you shall breakfast with me.
Coachman, the Café de Paris; is not that the place
where my brother usually dined ? "
“ I believe so," I replied.
“ Well, that is where I requested Giordano to meet
us. "
“ To the Café de Paris, then . ”
In half an hour we were set down at the restaurant .
I 24 The Corsican Brothers.
CHAPTER XX.
Lucien's appearance created quite a sensation in con

sequence of his remarkable likeness to his brother.
The news of Louis' death had gone abroad - not,
perhaps, in all its details , but it was known , and
Lacien's appearance astonished many.
I requested a private room, saying that we were expect
ing the Baron Giordano, and we got a room at the end.
Lucien began to read the papers carelessly, as if he
were oblivious of everything.
While we were seated at breakfast Giordano arrived .
The two young men had not met for four or five
years, nevertheless, a firm clasp of the hand was the
only demonstration they permitted themselves .
“ Well, everything is settled," he said.
“ Then M. de Chateau Renaud has accepted ?
Yes, on condition, however, that after he has
fought you he shall be left in peace."
“ Oh, he may be quite easy ; I am the last of the de
Franchi. Have you seen him, or his seconds ? ”
“ I saw him ; he will notify MM. de Boissy and de
Chateaugrand. The weapons, the hour and the place
will be the same."
Capital, sit down and have some breakfast.”
The Baron seated himself, and we spoke on indifferent
topics.
After breakfast Lucien begged us to introduce him
to the Commissioner of Police, who had sealed up his
brother's property, and to the proprietors of the house
at which his brother had lived, for he wished to sleep

that night, the last night that separated him from his
vengeance, in Louis' room .
All these arrangements took up time, so it was not
till five o'clock that Lucien entered his brother's apart
ment. Respecting his grief, we left him there alone.
We had arranged to meet him again next morning at
eight o'clock, and he begged me to bring the same
pistols, and to buy them if they were for sale.
I went to Devismes and purchased the weapons.
Next morning, at eight o'clock I was with Lucien.
When I entered, he was seated writing at the same
table, where his brother had sat writing. He smiled
when he saw me, but he was very pale.
>
“ Good morning," he said, “ I am writing to my
mother.”
“ I hope you will be able to write her aa less doleful
letter than poor Louis wrote eight days ago ."
“ I have told her that she may rest happy, for her son
is avenged ."
66
How are you able to speak with such certainty ?

“ Did not my brother announce to you his own
approaching death ? Well, then, I announce to you the
death of M. de Chateau Renaud.”
He rose as he spoke, and touching me on the temple,
said
There, that's where I shall put my bullet.”
“ And yourself."
“ I shall not be touched .”
“ But, at least, wait for the issue of the duel, before
you send your letter.”
“ It would be perfectly useless. ”
He rang, the servant appeared .
“ Joseph ,” said he, “ take this letter to the post.”

“ But have you seen your dead brother ? ”
66
Yes,” he answered .
It is a very strange thing the occurrence of these
two duels so close together, and in each of which one
of the two combatants was doomed . While we were
talking the Baron Giordano arrived. It was eight
o'clock , so we started.
Lucien was very anxious to arrive first, so we were
on the field ten minutes before the hour.
Our adversaries arrived at nine o'clock punctually .
They came on horseback, followed by a groom also on
horseback.
M. de Chateau Renaud had his hand in the breast
of his coat. I at first thought he was carrying his
arm in a sling
The gentlemen dismounted twenty paces from us,
and gavetheir bridles to the groom.
Monsieur de Chateau Renaud remained apart , but
looked steadfastly at Lucien , and I thought he became
paler. He turned aside and amused himself knocking
off the little flowers with his riding whip.
“ Well, gentlemen, here we are ! ” said MM. de
Chateaugrand and de Boissy, “ but you know our
conditions. This duel is to be the last, and no matter
what the issue may be, M. de Chateau Renaud shall
not have to answer to any one for the double result.”
“ That is understood , " we replied. Then Lucien
bowed assent.
“ You have the weapons, gentlemen ? ” said the
Viscount.
“ Here are the same pistols."
“ And they are unknown to M. de Franchi ? "
“ Less known to him than to M. de Chateau Renaud

who has already used them once. M. de Franchi has
not even seen them .”
“ That is sufficient, gentlemen. Come, Chateau
Renaud ! "
We immediately entered the wood, and each one
felt, as he revisited the fatal spot, that a tragedy more
terrible still was about to be enacted .
We soon arrived in the little dell .
M. de Chateau Renaud, thanks to his great self
command, appeared quite calm , but those who had seen
both encounters could appreciate the difference.
From time to time he glanced under his lids at
Lucien, and his furtive looks denoted a disquietude
approaching to fear.
Perhaps it was the great resemblance between the
brothers that struck him, and he thought he saw in
Lucien the avenging shade of Louis.
While they were loading the pistols I saw him draw
his hand from the breast of his coat. The fingers
were enveloped in a handkerchief as if to prevent
their twitching
Lucien waited calmly, like a man who was sure of
his vengeance .
Without being told, Lucien walked to the place his
brother had occupied , which compelled Chateau
Renaud to take up his position as before.
Lucien received his weapon with a joyous smilc.
When Chateau Renaud took his pistol he became
deadly' pale. Then he passed his hand between his
cravat and his neck as if he were suffocating.
No one can conceive with what feelings of terror I
regarded this young man, handsome, rich, and elegant,
ON
C
who but yesterday believed he had many years still
before him, and who to-day, with the sweat on his
brow and agony at his heart, felt he was condemned .
9
“ Are you ready, gentlemen ? ” asked M. de Chateau
grand .
“ Yes,” replied Lucien .
M. de Chateau Renaud made a sign in the affirma
tive.
As for me I was obliged to turn away , not daring to
look upon the scene.
I heard the two successive clappings of the hands,
and at the third the simultaneous reports of the pistols.
I turned round .
Chateau Renaud was lying on the ground, stark
dead ; he had not uttered a sound nor made a move
ment .
I approached the body, impelled by that invincible
curiosity which compels one to see the end of a
catastrophe.
The bullet had entered the dead man's temple, at
the very spot that Lucien had indicated to me
previously.
I ran to him, he was calm and motionless, but see.
ing me coming towards him he let fall the pistol, and
threw himself into my arms.
66
Ah, my brother, my poor brother ! ” he cried as he
burst into aa passion of sobs.
These were the first tears that the young man had
shed .
Woodfall & Kinder, Printers, Milford Lane, Strand, London , W.C.

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The Bravo . in Three Cruises .
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4
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Frank Mildmay. Sir W. SCOTT, Shandy.
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Peveril of the Peak . The Wandering Jew
By J. F. COOPER. Quentin Durward. ( TheTransgression ).
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The Pathfinder. The Abbot. ment).
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Last of the Mohicans. Woodstock . tion ).
The Pilot. Anne of Geierstein . The Mysteries of Paris :
The Prairie . The Betrothed . Morning .
Eve Effingham . Fair Maid of Perth . Noon .
The Spy . The Surgeon's Daugh- Night.
The Red Rover . ter, & c. The Lamplighter.
Homeward Bound . The Talisman . The Professor at the
Two Admirals. Count Robert of Paris . Breakfast Table .
Miles Wallingford. Red Gauntlet. Last Essays of Elia.
The Pioneers . Hans Breitmann .
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Precaution . Major Jack Downing. by Mrs. Radcliffe,
Oak Openings . BiglowPapers. vol. I.
The Heidenmauer . Orpheus C. Kerr. vol. 2.
Mark's Reef: Robinson Crusoe. The Shadowless Man .

5
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This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized

by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE SONS

NOVELS AT TWO SHILLINGS .

Published by George Routledge and Sons.

TRANSLATED BY HENRY FRITH

PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER ,

MILFORD LANE , STRAND, W.c.

THE LATEST REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TWIN BROTHERS

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY

In the beginning of March, 1841 , I was travelling in

not mind the danger. We may add that with this

sideration of board and lodging and a few piastres per

had a guide with me, for fear I should lose my way in

stopped a moment to look about us.

mand hospitality from a lady, for if I understand you

Compromise her ! ” repeated the guide, endeavour

“ You will see one of them — he lives at home.”

Many houses appeared to have sustained a siege, and

stranger does honour to the house before which he

stops.” “ Maria," he continued, turning to a servant,

I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house,

to me as the servant departed, “ but I always fancy

The furniture all appeared to be modern, a circum

much farther to form my opinion of the character of

He was, as my guide had told me, a young man

“ You have no reason to fear," I replied ; “ it would

“ You expect him back soon ??

parents were obliged to sew a distinguishing mark

and I never shall have one. If my brother should marry ,

the time supper is on the table.”

The suggestion quite accorded with my inclination to

poignard with a very large hilt-the pommel forms a

“And is the dagger authentic ? ”

penetrate two five-franc pieces one on top of another."

“ Yes. Perhaps you have heard people speak of this

“ That is the one Buonaparte carried at the battle of

· But,” I said, “ in your place I would rather have

As he spoke he came forth from the inner room,

I MUST confess that as I descended to the supper - room

“ But, then, how can you possibly tell that he is out

Because during the last few days I have been

And you would have told me, would you not, my

These were the questions that perplexed me, and it

ancestral home. He will plead — if he possess the tal

into this province of Sartène ?

man of the world, an artist, or a poet. I do not know

“ I accept, then , with much pleasure ."

he will be able to tell them how things actually

one of the Colona appeared, who, unfortunately, carried

“ Just so ; last night I saw the other.”

“ Ah ! yes—they told me those ruins were close by.”

I clasped a travelling belt round my waist, from

ALTHOUGH it was only the beginning of the month of

“ You are likely to get giddy, then.”

“ But," I said, “ I fancied I saw another dog at your

and I suppose we are approaching the place where he

We still kept advancing steadily, but, as Lucien had

I have ascended. For instance, the Rigi, the Faulhorn ,