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Updated: May 20, 2025
When Francois and his family were announced in the salon of the Princess, the Minister hastened forward to convey Madame Darbois to a seat, after presenting her to the Dowager Duchess de Castel-Montjoie, Mlle. Jeanne Tordeine, of the Theatre-Francaise, and several other guests. Esperance's entrance roused the curiosity of all.
"Would it be impertinence if I asked you to let me see it?" she said with a smile. "I thank you, Madame; you flatter me by your request." The Dowager Duchess, with whom the Princess had been spending three weeks at her Chateau of Castel-Montjoie, was now presented to Mme. Darbois. She was a lovable and delightful old lady, with a great appreciation of art and science.
After lunch, Albert, Maurice, Jean, and Genevieve settled themselves under a great oak, which was said to have been planted by a delightful little Duchess of Castel-Montjoie, who had been celebrated at Court during the Regency. A marble table and a heavy circular bench made this wild corner quite cosy, and sheltered from the sun and from the curious.
"Let me alone, stupid, to do my work," said the young girl with tears in her eyes. She had been waked the night before by the noise of opening doors, she had got up and seen her godfather talking to her father. The Duke said, "You must close your Inn early as possible, you must refuse everybody, except the Doctor from the Chateau, Count Styvens and four gentlemen with the Duke of Castel-Montjoie.
The first round should last three minutes, should neither of the adversaries be touched. "Halt!" cried the Duke de Castel-Montjoie. One minute was allowed them to breathe. "Go," said the umpire, again joining the sword tips. This time Albert made a furious drive against the Duke. There was a moment of suspense. The Duke did not give way.
He kissed her hand again, and went to join his two seconds at the gate of the kitchen garden. The crowd had all dispersed to catch the last train. The meeting at the "Three Roads" was for seven. They saw the Duke de Castel-Montjoie from a distance. He had had some difficulty in making his escape, having had to help his mother, the Duchess, with the last farewells.
The Doctor arrived out of breath, with the information that he had not been able to get a confrere and would have to serve both sides. The umpire, in company with the seconds, chose an alley of proper dimensions. The adversaries were placed opposite, sword in hand. The Duke de Castel-Montjoie touched the points of their swords and said, "Go!" The conditions of the duel were very strict.
I do love you! Have pity! I will always wear the necklace. You shall unfasten it every evening and clasp it every morning! Do not die! Do not die! I am your fiancee, to-morrow I will be your wife! You must life for your mother, for me!" The door opened and the Countess, suddenly awakened, entered with the Baron van Berger and the Duke de Castel-Montjoie.
All the other servants were forbidden to approach the Tower. The Countess Styvens, accompanied by the Duke de Castel-Montjoie, the Prince and Princess de Bernecourt, and the Baron van Berger, had taken the body of her son to be buried in the great family mausoleum which she had raised to the memory of her husband at her country place of Lacken.
The Duke de Castel-Montjoie, the Dowager's only son, had been chosen by the seconds as umpire. De Morlay and Styvens approved the choice. The great hall had been invaded by a score of servants who arranged the chairs, placed the palms, and hung silver chains to separate the musicians from the audience.
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