Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/358

 through fear, offered his security to Monsieur Dionis for the price of his practice, and finally established Goupil. The viscount, being unable to fight a man of sixty-seven, and being absolutely determined to avenge the injuries done to Ursule, has formally demanded reparation from me. His resolution, taken and weighed in silence, was immovable. Had I declined a duel, he had resolved to meet me in a drawing-room, in the presence of persons whose esteem I most value, and there to insult me so seriously, that I should then have to fight or my career would come to an end. In France, a coward is universally scouted. Moreover, men of honor would understand his motives for exacting reparation. He expressed his sorrow at being driven to such extremities. According to his seconds, the most sensible thing for me to do would be to settle an encounter as honorable men are in the habit of doing, so that Ursule Mirouët should not be the cause of the quarrel. In fact, to avoid any scandal in France, we could travel over the nearest frontier with our seconds. In this way things will be settled for the best. He said his name was worth ten times my fortune, and with his future happiness he was risking more than I in this fight, which will be to the death. He has advised me to choose my seconds, and to settle these points. The seconds that I chose met his yesterday, and unanimously agreed that I owe reparation. So in eight days I shall start for Geneva with two of my friends. Monsieur de Portenduère, Monsieur de Soulanges and Monsieur de Trailles will also go. We shall fight with pistols; all the conditions of the duel are decided; we shall each fire three times, and afterward, no matter what happens, all will be over. To avoid spreading so shameful an affair—for I cannot possibly justify my father’s conduct—I am writing to you at the last minute. I will not go to see you, on account of the fury to which you might give way and which would not be at all agreeable. In order to get on in society I must follow its rules; and, where there may be ten reasons for a viscount’s son to fight, there are a hundred for a postmaster’s son. I shall pass through Nemours by night, and will say good-bye to you.”