“Yes, monseigneur.”
“How is that?”
Aurilly was about to reply, when the duke was summoned; for the king was at table, and had sent for his brother.
“You shall tell me during the procession,” said the duke.
We will now tell our readers what had passed between Aurilly and D’Epernon. They had long known each other, for Aurilly had taught D’Epernon to play on the lute, and, as he was fond of music, they were often together. He called upon Aurilly to tell him of his approaching duel, which disquieted him not a little. Bravery was never one of D’Epernon’s prominent qualities, and he looked on a duel with Bussy as certain death. When Aurilly heard it, he told D’Epernon that Bussy practised fencing every morning with an artist, lately arrived, who was said to have borrowed from all nations their best points, until he had become perfect. During this recital D’Epernon grew livid with terror.
“Ah! I am doomed,” said he.
“Well?”
“But it is absurd to go out with a man who is sure to kill me.”
“You should have thought of that before making the engagement.”
“Peste! I will break the engagement.”