On the threshold of eternity the truth seems
clearer. Forgive me, De Morlay, as I forgive you."
He choked. The Doctor came forward. The Duke, as pale as the dying
man, pressed that loyal hand for the last time, and withdrew.
In her own room Esperance had just waked with an anguished cry.
"What is the matter with you?"
"I ... I ... I do not know ... a catastrophe ... where is my father?"
"In his room, and...."
At that very moment Maurice knocked at the door, and before they had
time to answer him, he entered. His face was distorted with grief.
"A catastrophe, a catastrophe!" repeated Esperance, at sight of him.
"Get up, put on a wrap, put something on your head, and come, come
quickly! A carriage is waiting for us!"
"A catastrophe, a catastrophe! Albert? the Duke?..."
"Albert!" he answered brusquely. "Come quickly! He wants to see you
before...."
The words died in his throat.
He helped his cousin and led her rapidly to the carriage. Esperance
was gasping with anguish.
"Tell me, Maurice, tell me."
But the young man could not answer. He knew only that Albert was
mortally wounded. He had been waiting a few paces from the Inn to
see the duellers come out. The Duke de Morlay-La-Branche and
Castel-Montjoie appeared first, and as they were talking to the
young man, the Marquis de Montagnac came out precipitately.
"I beg you," he said to Maurice, "to fetch the Count's fiancee.
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