Which account is true,
I know not. It is only certain that he did not discharge his
pistol, that he fell by his antagonist's first bullet, and that
he never spoke afterward."
"And his mother?"
"It is hard to gain information. Her doors are closed; the old
servant guards her with jealous care. A medical man is in
constant attendance, and there are reports in the house that the
illness from which she is suffering affects her mind more than
her body. I could ascertain no more."
After that answer they both remain silent for a little while,
then rise from the bench and walk toward the house.
"Have you thought yet about preparing your sister to hear of all
that has happened?" Lomaque asks, as he sees the lamp-light
glimmering in the parlor window.
"I shall wait to prepare her till we are settled again here--till
the first holiday pleasure of our return has worn off, and the
quiet realities of our every-day life of old have resumed their
way," answers Trudaine.
They enter the house. Rose beckons to Lomaque to sit down near
her, and places pen and ink and an open letter before him.
"I have a last favor to ask of you," she says, smiling.
"I hope it will not take long to grant," he rejoins; "for I have
only to-night to be with you. To-morrow morning, before you are
up, I must be on my way back to Chalons."
"Will you sign that letter?" she continues, still smiling, "and
then give it to me to send to the post? It was dictated by Louis,
and written by me, and it will be quite complete, if you will put
your name at the end of it.
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