“That’s right,” said Chamoureau; “then, if you miss your opponent, you can pass at once to the sword.”
“Messieurs, will you please go to this Monsieur Edmond’s house, you know where he lives?”
“Perfectly well.”
“Remember what we have agreed upon—eight o’clock to-morrow.”
“And if it can’t be to-morrow,” said Chamoureau, “why, so much the better! we won’t go there again.”
XXIV
THE BOATMAN
Paul Duronceray was true to his promise and appeared at Edmond Didier’s not long after the latter and Freluchon had left the Tower.
“No one has come yet,” said Edmond.
“Pardieu! I was certain that no one would have come,” said Freluchon; “we have time to breakfast at our leisure.”
“And while you are breakfasting,” said Paul, after bidding his dog lie at his feet, “I will tell you something which will be of great interest to you; for it concerns this Thélénie, this woman who, I doubt not, is the original instigator of your duel to-day. And what I have to tell you also assures the happiness and the future welfare of that lovely girl, Agathe, who is to be your wife, Monsieur Edmond.”