Norbert hung the lantern on the bough of a tree, and it gave the same amount of light as an ordinary street lamp.
"We will dig the grave in that corner," observed he; "and when it is filled in, we can cover it with that heap of stones over there." He threw off his great coat, and, handing a spade to Croisenois, took another himself, repeating firmly the words,-- "To work! To work!" Croisenois would have toiled all night before he could have completed the task, but the muscles of the Duke were hardened by his former laborious life, and in forty minutes all was ready.
"That will do," said Norbert, exchanging his spade for a sword.

"Take your guard." Croisenois, however, did not immediately obey.

Impressible by nature, he felt a cold shiver run through his frame; the dark night, the flickering lantern, and all these preparations, made in so cold-blooded a manner, affected his nerves.

The grave, with its yawning mouth, fascinated him.
"Well," said Norbert impatiently, "are you not ready ?" "I will speak," exclaimed De Croisenois, driven to desperation.

"In a few minutes one of us will be lying dead on this spot.