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Updated: June 6, 2025
"Brave fellows," said Valensolle, filling his glass; "their health, Morgan!" "And ours!" said the young man, laughing; "the devil take me if any one could dream of finding us here." Morgan had hardly drained his glass, when, as if the devil had accepted the challenge, the sentinel's harsh, strident voice cried: "Qui vive!" "Hey!" exclaimed the two young men, "what does this mean?"
He handed them to M. de Barjols' second to examine. The latter tried the triggers and played with the lock, examining to see if they were double-barrelled. They were single-barrelled. M. de Barjols cast a glance at them but did not even touch them. "Our opponent does not know these weapons?" queried M. Valensolle. "He has not even seen them," replied Sir John, "I give you my word of honor."
During this time M. de Valensolle had measured forty paces, staking a cane as a point of departure. "Will you measure after me?" he asked Sir John. "Needless, sir," replied the latter: "M. de Montrevel and myself rely entirely upon you." M. de Valensolle staked a second cane at the fortieth pace. "Gentlemen," said he, "when you are ready."
A flat space, some hundred and fifty feet long, and sixty wide, which might once have been the castle platform, was now to be the scene of the drama which was fast approaching its close. "Here we are, gentlemen," said Sir John. "We are ready, gentlemen," replied M. de Valensolle. "Will the principals kindly listen to the conditions of the duel?" said Sir John.
The worthy jailer seemed more grieved and distressed at his second appearance than at his first; but Morgan and Amelie thanked him with a smile. He went to the cell where the others were locked up and opened it, murmuring to himself: "Faith! It would have been hard if they couldn't have been alone together on their last night." Valensolle, Jayat and Ribier returned.
And Morgan sliding down the declivity of the hay, disappeared from sight, leaving his companion crouched like a sphinx, with his eyes fixed on Roland de Montrevel. A quarter of an hour later Morgan returned. By this time the officer's windows were dark like all the others of the barracks. "Well?" asked Morgan. "Well," replied Valensolle, "it ended most prosaically.
"All the more, that the next will be better," said a young man who had just joined the group, unperceived, so absorbed were all present in Cadoudal's letter. "More especially if we say two words to the mail-coach from Chambery next Saturday." "Ah! is that you, Valensolle?" said Morgan.
Just then some one knocked at the door, and the voice of the innkeeper asked: "May I come in?" The young man replied affirmatively. The door opened and the landlord entered, holding a card in his hand which he handed his guest. The young man took the card and read: "Charles du Valensolle." "From M. Alfred de Barjols," said the host. "Very well!" exclaimed Roland.
Leave those poor young people alone. It would be sacrilege to trouble their last moments together on earth by our presence." Pere Courtois, without a word, opened the door of the adjoining cell. Valensolle, Jayat and Ribier entered it, and the door was closed upon them. Then, making a sign to Charlotte, Courtois himself went away. The lovers were alone.
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