How a Frenchman Manages an Affair

           Whilethecontractofthisduelwasbeingdiscussedbythepresidentandthecaptain—thisdreadful,savageduel,inwhicheachadversarybecameaman-hunter—MichelArdanwasrestingfromthefatiguesofhistriumph.Restingishardlyanappropriateexpression,forAmericanbedsrivalmarbleorgranitetablesforhardness.

           Ardanwassleeping,then,badlyenough,tossingaboutbetweentheclothswhichservedhimforsheets,andhewasdreamingofmakingamorecomfortablecouchinhisprojectilewhenafrightfulnoisedisturbedhisdreams.Thunderingblowsshookhisdoor.Theyseemedtobecausedbysomeironinstrument.Agreatdealofloudtalkingwasdistinguishableinthisracket,whichwasrathertooearlyinthemorning."Openthedoor,"someoneshrieked,"forheaven’ssake!"Ardansawnoreasonforcomplyingwithademandsoroughlyexpressed.However,hegotupandopenedthedoorjustasitwasgivingwaybeforetheblowsofthisdeterminedvisitor.ThesecretaryoftheGunClubburstintotheroom.Abombcouldnothavemademorenoiseorhaveenteredtheroomwithlessceremony.

           "Lastnight,"criedJ.T.Maston,exabrupto,"ourpresidentwaspubliclyinsultedduringthemeeting.Heprovokedhisadversary,whoisnoneotherthanCaptainNicholl!TheyarefightingthismorninginthewoodofSkersnaw.IheardalltheparticularsfromthemouthofBarbicanehimself.Ifheiskilled,thenourschemeisatanend.Wemustpreventhisduel;andonemanalonehasenoughinfluenceoverBarbicanetostophim,andthatmanisMichelArdan."