Every one said, "What a capital fellow!"
CHAPTER XVI
GOOD-BYE
The friends and acquaintances of both parties were assembled at Count Stefan's to hear the result of the duel. The seconds on both sides had promised to come and give the earliest news. All the habitués of society were waiting; there was suppressed excitement; bets were made upon which should be wounded, and whether Salista would give a heavy wound or only a slight scratch to his adversary. Count Stefan had the courage to bet ten to one that Salista would get a scratch; he also risked "even money" that the marquis would be the only one wounded. That Ivan would escape with a whole skin no one else for an instant imagined. If they had done so they might have offered a hundred to one, and even at that no one of the party would have taken the bet.
The outposts planted themselves at the windows, to be the first to see the carriage with the seconds. When a cab drove up, they shouted to the others:
"Edmund and Geza have arrived!"
"Then I have won my bet," said Count Stefan; "the seconds of the man who is least hurt get away first."
Count Edmund went to the countess's apartment to let her know what had happened, while Geza ascended to Count Stefan's rooms. He rushed in with the triumphant air a victorious second should have.
"He has put him to the sword."
"Who? Who? Ivan? Salista?" cried the company, surrounding the messenger in their excitement.