“It seems to me that I managed the affair rather well.”
“Yes; but there’s another affair, which you must manage as well.”
“Tell us about it; while my hand is in, it won’t cost any more!”
“Monsieur Luminot and Edmond are to fight at eight o’clock to-morrow morning.”
“Ah! the famous duel is to come off! Well?”
“It is to be in a little wood, some distance from here, at the other side of the village. I am confident that Edmond will not have mentioned the duel to the two women at the little house yonder.”
“Probably not; he wouldn’t want to frighten them.”
“Now listen: can you swim?”
“Like a gudgeon. Why?”
“To-morrow morning, at eight o’clock—or a little before eight—you will be on the shore of the Marne, near the bridge that crosses to Gournay.”