"Oh! of course—because that was the name you gave me when you were to marry Fanny! But you don't know—I have not dared to tell you that father says that you must not come to our house any more!"
"Not come here any more! Why not, pray?"
"Why, because of that unfortunate duel——"
"Duel! What do you mean? What duel?"
"What! you don't know? Hasn't your uncle told you about it?"
"I told you that I only arrived last night; my uncle talked about nothing but matters of business, which are of much more importance in his eyes than anything else. Tell me what duel you are talking about?"
"Do you remember the man who dined with you on the day of my sister's wedding?"
"Yes, a curious creature whom I happened to meet—and who took pity on the state of frenzy I was in at that time."
"Was he a friend of yours?"
"As I tell you, I had known him only a few hours; but I had lost my head that day; you know that better than anybody, dear Adolphine, for you found time, even on that day, to come to me and say a few comforting words.—But what about that man?"