Well, Monsieur de Wardes, you have been very unlucky in bringing me here; all the blood in my body seems to have mounted to my head; and I verily believe that since so good an opportunity presents itself, I shall blow out your brains on the spot.
So, Monsieur de Wardes, recommend your soul to Heaven." "Monsieur Manicamp, you cannot think of such a thing!" "On the contrary, I am thinking of it very strongly." "Would you assassinate me ?" "Without the slightest remorse, at least for the present." "Are you a gentleman ?" "I have given a great many proofs of it." "Let me defend my life, then, at least." "Very likely; in order, I suppose, that you may do to me what you have done to poor De Guiche." And Manicamp slowly raised his pistol to the height of De Wardes' breast, and, with arms stretched out, and a fixed, determined look on his face, took a careful aim.

De Wardes did not attempt a flight; he was completely terrified.

In the midst, however, of this horrible silence, which lasted about a second, but which seemed an age to De Wardes, a faint sigh was heard.
"Oh," exclaimed De Wardes, "he still lives! Help, De Guiche, I am about to be assassinated!" Manicamp fell back a step or two, and the two young men saw the comte raise himself slowly and painfully upon one hand.

Manicamp threw the pistol away a dozen paces, and ran to his friend, uttering a cry of delight.

De Wardes wiped his forehead, which was covered with a cold perspiration.
"It was just in time," he murmured.
"Where are you hurt ?" inquired Manicamp of De Guiche, "and whereabouts are you wounded ?" De Guiche showed him his mutilated hand and his chest covered with blood.
"Comte," exclaimed De Wardes, "I am accused of having assassinated you: speak, I implore you, and say that I fought loyally." "Perfectly so," said the wounded man; "Monsieur de Wardes fought quite loyally, and whoever may say the contrary will make me his enemy." "Then, sir," said Manicamp, "assist me, in the first place, to carry this poor fellow back, and I will afterward give you every satisfaction you please; or, if you are in a hurry, we can do better still; let us stanch the blood from the comte's wounds here, with your pocket-handkerchief and mine, and then, as there are two shots left, we can have them between us." "Thank you," said De Wardes.