The loquacious Frenchman rattled on, cheering up his companion by an animated conversation during the whole of the journey. He never suffered Lord Ethalwood’s spirits to droop, and certainly he was in all things considered a most invaluable adviser and ally in a case of this sort. Without him the earl would have been quite lost.
Upon arriving at the appointed place of meeting the earl and Monsieur de Monpres found Chanet and a young man awaiting them at the outskirts of the forest.
“You are punctual,” said Gerome. “I expected you would be so.”
“The Chevalier de Monpres,” returned the earl, introducing his friend. Chanet bowed and introduced the young man he had brought for a second as Monsieur Vasseralt. Then there was another exchange of courtesies and the chevalier and Vasseralt drew on one side and conversed in whispers; meanwhile the two principals stood silent and motionless.
“We had better proceed to the glade in the forest without further hesitation,” observed the chevalier; “by standing here we may probably attract attention. Forward, gentlemen,” added he, as he led the way. The three other gentlemen followed.
“Now, gentlemen, you had better take your positions.”
“Perhaps we had better charge the weapons first,” suggested Vasseralt.
“As you please, sir,” returned the chevalier, “it is not a matter of very great moment. We will charge them.”
“The six barrels are to be loaded,” said Gerome, “and we are to keep on firing till one of us falls. That is the understanding.”
“It is against all rules laid down in such cases,” observed the chevalier, “and it is a most murderous and un-Christianlike mode of procedure, but if it is an agreement, of course we must, I suppose, abide by it.”