The Duke had embarked for Naples on the previous day.
This pursuit was assuming the proportions of an Odyssey: it seemed as if the Duke felt that he was being pursued.
It was not so, however. He was carrying out a mission with which his sovereign had entrusted him.
The Count made enquiries, and learnt that the Duc de Peñaflor was accompanied by his daughter, and two sons.
Two days later, M. de Barmont was sailing to Naples, on board a smuggling vessel.
We will not enter into all the details of this obstinate pursuit, which lasted for several months.
We will confine ourselves to saying that the Count missed the Duke at Naples, as he had missed him at Madrid and Barcelona, and that he traversed the whole of Italy, and entered France, still in chase of his intangible enemy, who seemed to fly before him.
But during the interval, although the Count did not suspect, the parts had been greatly modified, if not completely changed.
In this way.
The Duke had a great interest in knowing what the Count would do. Though it was certain that the war would compel him to leave Spain, still he was too well acquainted with the young man's resolute and determined character to suppose for a moment that he would accept the insult offered him, without trying to take a startling revenge.