The four gentlemen simultaneously raised their hats in courteous greeting; but no words passed between them then.
The seconds advanced toward each other, and went apart to settle the final details of the meeting. They divided their duties equally.
The colonel gave the pistol-case to the baron, who opened it and examined the weapons. The colonel stepped off the ten paces of ground, and the baron marked the positions to be taken by the antagonists.
Then each went after his man and placed him in position. Then the Colonel took the case of pistols and placed it in the hands of the baron, who carried it to his principal, that the latter might take his choice of the pair of revolvers, in accordance with the terms of the meeting.
The count took the first that came to hand. The baron carried back the case to the colonel, who placed the remaining weapon in the hands of the duke.
The antagonists stood opposite each other in a line of ten paces running north and south, so that the sun was equally divided between them. The seconds stood opposite each other, in a line of six paces running east and west, across the line of their principals; so that the positions of the four men, as they stood, formed the four points of a diamond.
They stood prepared for the mortal issue.
A fatal catastrophe is always sudden and soon over.
The final question was asked by the duke's second:
"Gentlemen, are you ready?"