"Do not leave this room. I must know how he died."
A wink from Gaston sent the servants away, and as soon as he was alone with the parents he began his story.
"The vicomte sent his seconds to Arthur de Montferrand," he said; "the motive for the duel was to be kept secret by both combatants, and I of course had nothing to say to this. The meeting was agreed upon for this morning and took place in the Bois de Boulogne. When the vicomte arrived on the spot, he was so terribly excited that the seconds thought it their duty to ask for a postponement of the affair. This proposition was agreed to by Monsieur de Montferrand, but the vicomte firmly opposed it. We tried in vain to change his determination. He became angry, accused his seconds of cowardice, and threatened to horsewhip them. Under such circumstances nothing could be done. The distance was measured off and the duel began. The vicomte was already lost after the first tourney. In his passion he ran upon his opponent's sword, the blade of which penetrated his heart, and death immediately followed."
Pale, with eyes wide open, the marquis and Madeleine listened to Gaston's story. The marquise clinched her fist and angrily exclaimed:
"My son has been murdered, and I will avenge him!"
The marquis remained silent, but his silence made a deeper impression on the young man than Madeleine's anger.
"Did my son leave any letter?" asked the marquise, suddenly.
"Yes, my lady. Before we rode to the Bois de Boulogne the vicomte gave me a sealed letter, which I was to give to his parents in case of his death."
The young man thereupon handed the marquise the letter. Madeleine tore the envelope with a trembling hand. There were only a few lines: