"No, monsieur; I won't begin."
"It's your right."
"I insulted you this morning, by shaking you; it's your place to begin."
"Listen: my servant will clap his hands three times, and at the third we will fire together."
Albert told his servant what he was to do. He clapped his hands, turning his head so that he could not see the combatants. At the third signal, Sans-Cravate fired; there was no second report, but Albert fell in the road.
Sans-Cravate ran to the young man, who had received the bullet in his side and was bleeding freely. He threw himself on his knees, weeping; but Albert held out his hand to him and tried to smile.
"You have done your duty—don't be cut up. If I die, you will see that I haven't forgotten your sister."
"Oh! you won't die, I hope. This wound may not be fatal——"
"Take me to the carriage, and tell them to take me back to my father."