It is said that blood will wash out any stain, but it is false; for even if all yours is shed, it will not remove the stain from my escutcheon.

One of us must vanish from the face of the earth in such a manner that no trace of him may remain." "I agree.

Show me how this is to be done." "I know a method," answered Norbert.

"If I was certain that no human being was aware of your presence here to-night----" "No one can possibly know it." "Then," answered the Duke, "instead of taking advantage of the rights that the law gives me and shooting you down on the spot, I will consent to risk my life against yours." George de Croisenois breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am ready," replied he, "as I before told you." "I heard you; but remember that this will be no ordinary duel, in the light of day, with seconds to regulate the manner of our conduct." "We will fight exactly as you wish." "In that case, I name swords as the weapons, the garden as the spot, and this instant as the hour." The Marquis cast a glance at the window.
"You think," observed Norbert, comprehending his look, "that the night is so dark that we cannot see the blades of our swords ?" "Quite so." "You need not fear; there will be light enough for this death struggle of the one who remains in the garden, for you understand that one _will_ remain." "I understand you; shall we go down at once ?" Norbert shook his head in the negative.
"You are in too great a hurry," said he, "and have not given me time to fix my conditions." "I am listening." "At the end of the garden there is a small plot of ground, so damp that nothing will grow there, and consequently is almost unfrequented; but for all that it is thither that you must follow me.