"And so," he said, when De Wardes had finished, "you think he is dead ?" "Alas! I do." "And you fought in that manner, without witnesses ?" "He insisted upon it." "It is very singular." "What do you mean by saying it is singular ?" "That it is so very unlike Monsieur de Guiche's disposition." "You do not doubt my word, I suppose ?" "Hum! hum!" "You do doubt it, then ?" "A little.

But I shall doubt it more than ever, I warn you, if I find the poor fellow is really dead." "Monsieur Manicamp!" "Monsieur de Wardes!" "It seems you intend to insult me." "Just as you please.

The fact is, I never could like those people who come and say, 'I have killed such and such a gentleman in a corner; it is a great pity, but I killed him in a perfectly honorable manner.' It has a very ugly appearance, M.de Wardes." "Silence! we have arrived." In fact, the open glade could now be seen, and in the open space lay the motionless body of the dead horse.

To the right of the horse, upon the dark grass, with his face against the ground, the poor comte lay, bathed in his blood.

He had remained in the same spot, and did not even seem to have made the slightest movement.