Милий друг
A Duel with an End
Duroyrepeatedthosedirectionsaschildrenlearntheirlessonsinordertoimpressthemuponhismemory.Ashemutteredthephrasesoverandover,healmostprayedthatsomeaccidentmighthappentothecarriage;ifhecouldonlybreakhisleg!
Attheendofagladehesawacarriagestandingandfourgentlemenstampingtheirfeetinordertokeepthemwarm,andhewasobligedtogaspinordertogetbreath.RivalandBoisrenardalightedfirst,thenthedoctorandthecombatant.
Rivaltooktheboxofpistols,andwithBoisrenardapproachedthetwostrangers,whowereadvancingtowardthem.Duroysawthemgreetoneanotherceremoniously,thenwalkthroughthegladetogetherastheycountedthepaces.
Dr.LeBrumentaskedDuroy:"Doyoufeelwell?Doyounotwantanything?"
"Nothing,thankyou."Itseemedtohimthathewasasleep,thathewasdreaming.Washeafraid?Hedidnotknow.JacquesRivalreturnedandsaidinalowvoice:"Allisready.Fortunehasfavoredusinthedrawingofthepistols."ThatwasamatterofindifferencetoDuroy.Theyhelpedhimoffwithhisovercoat,ledhimtothegroundsetapartfortheduel,andgavehimhispistol.Beforehimstoodaman,short,stout,andbald,whoworeglasses.Thatwashisadversary.Avoicebrokethesilence—avoicewhichcamefromafar:"Areyouready,sirs?"
Georgescried:"Yes.
