For a whole half-hour the pastor expounded, with the indefatigable enthusiasm of a mathematics' master the three conditions for the equality of triangles.
When he came to the celebrated phrase, "Strike this bosom which for thee is unveiled," my eyes sought the Grand Duchess. I saw she was weeping.
We went from the Temple to the station in cars. The coffin, with its fast-fading flowers, was put in a special carriage.
When I returned to the palace I met Lieutenant von Hagen in the Great Gallery, as deserted at five o'clock in the afternoon as if it had been midnight. He was pale and appeared as if he had been waiting for me.
"Monsieur," he said, in a low voice, "yesterday morning I waited for you two hours at the La Meilleraie bridge."
"I had entirely forgotten our little meeting," I said. "I admit it frankly."
"After this," he muttered quietly, "may I hope there'll be no more of your troublesome lapses of memory?" And so saying he tapped my cheek with the glove in his right hand.
I had some difficulty in keeping myself from retaliating with a good sound cuff. His elaborate pretence of self-possession saved me.
"Sir," I said, "I shall be at your disposal at six o'clock tomorrow."
"Let us arrange everything now, if you please. No seconds, no witnesses, of course. As you are the challenged party, what weapon will you choose?"