Путешествие на Луну
How a Frenchman Manages an Affair
Atlastitwasaccomplished,andthelittlebirdflewjoyfullyawayanddisappeared.
Nicholllovinglywatcheditsflight,whenheheardthesewordspronouncedbyavoicefullofemotion:
"Youareindeedabraveman."
Heturned.MichelArdanwasbeforehim,repeatinginadifferenttone:
"Andakindheartedone!"
"MichelArdan!"criedthecaptain."Whyareyouhere?"
"Topressyourhand,Nicholl,andtopreventyoufromeitherkillingBarbicaneorbeingkilledbyhim."
"Barbicane!"returnedthecaptain."Ihavebeenlookingforhimforthelasttwohoursinvain.Whereishehiding?"
"Nicholl!"saidMichelArdan,"thisisnotcourteous!weoughtalwaystotreatanadversarywithrespect;restassureedifBarbicaneisstillaliveweshallfindhimallthemoreeasily;becauseifhehasnot,likeyou,beenamusinghimselfwithfreeingoppressedbirds,hemustbelookingforyou.Whenwehavefoundhim,MichelArdantellsyouthis,therewillbenoduelbetweenyou."
"BetweenPresidentBarbicaneandmyself,"gravelyrepliedNicholl,"thereisarivalrywhichthedeathofoneofus——"
"Pooh,pooh!"saidArdan."Bravefellowslikeyouindeed!youshallnotfight!"
"Iwillfight,sir!"
"No!"
"Captain,"saidJ.T.
