Милий друг
A Duel with an End
Hegroundhisteethtopreventhiscryingaloud.Suddenlyherememberedthathehadabottleofbrandy;hefetcheditfromthecupboardandsoonemptiedit.Nowhefelthisbloodcoursemorewarmlythroughhisveins."Ihavefoundameans,"saidhe.
Daybroke.Hebegantodress;whenhisheartfailedhim,hetookmorebrandy.Atlengththerewasaknockatthedoor.Hisfriendshadcome;theywerewrappedinfurs.Aftershakinghands,Rivalsaid:"ItisascoldasSiberia.Isallwell?"
"Yes."
"Areyoucalm?"
"Verycalm."
"Haveyoueatenanddrunksomething?"
"Idonotneedanything."
Theydescendedthestairs.Agentlemanwasseatedinthecarriage.Rivalsaid:"Dr.LeBrument."Duroyshookhandswithhimandstammered:"Thankyou,"asheenteredthecarriage.JacquesRivalandBoisrenardfollowedhim,andthecoachmandroveoff.Heknewwheretogo.
Theconversationflagged,althoughthedoctorrelatedanumberofanecdotes.Rivalalonerepliedtohim.Duroytriedtoappearself-possessed,buthewashauntedcontinuallybythefearofshowinghisfeelingsoroflosinghisself-possession.Rivaladdressedhim,saying:"ItookthepistolstoGastineRenette.Heloadedthem.Theboxissealed."
Duroyrepliedmechanically:"Thankyou."
ThenRivalproceededtogivehimminutedirections,thathemightmakenomistakes.
