CHAPTER XVI.

by Alexandre Dumas

　　AT eight o'clock that evening I called upon M. Louis de Franchi, toinquire whether he had anything to confide to me. But he begged me towait till next morning, saying:"The night will bring counsel with it."Next morning, therefore, instead of calling at eight, which would havegiven us plenty of time to go to the meeting, I called at half-pastseven.Louis was already writing in his study.He looked up as I entered, and I noticed how very pale he was."Excuse me," he said, "I am writing to my mother. You will find themorning papers there; if you can amuse yourself with them you will seea charming feuilleton by M. Mèry in the _Presse._"I took the paper thus indicated, and contrasted the livid pallor ofthe speaker with his calm and sweet voice.I endeavoured to read, but I could not fix my attention, the lettersbrought no meaning with them.In about five minutes Louis said,"There, I have finished." And he rang for his valet."Joseph," said he, "I am at home to no one, not even to the BaronGiordano. If he calls, ask him to wait in the _salon._ I wish to bealone with this gentlemen for ten minutes."The valet shut the door and disappeared."Now, my dear Alexander, listen. Giordano is a Corsican, and hasCorsican ideas. I cannot, therefore, confide all I desire to him. Iwill ask him to keep the secret, that's all. But as regards yourself,I wish you, if you will permit me, to request that you will promise toobserve my instructions.""Certainly. Is not that the duty of a second?""A duty more real than you imagine, for you can save our family asecond misfortune if you will.""A second misfortune!" I exclaimed."Wait. Read this letter."I took the letter addressed to Madame de Franchi, and read as follows,with growing astonishment:--"MY DEAREST MOTHER,--"If I did not know that you possessed Spartan fortitude allied withChristian submission, I would have used means to prepare you for theblow in store for you--for when you receive this letter you will havebut one son!"Lucien, my dear brother, love our mother for _both_ in future."For some time I have been suffering from brain fever. I paid noattention to the premonitory symptoms--the doctor came too late.Darling mother, there is no hope for me now. I cannot be saved but bya miracle, and what right have I to suppose that Providence will worka miracle on my behalf?"I am writing to you in a lucid interval. If I die, this letter willbe posted immediately after my death; for in the selfishness of mylove for you I wish that you should know that I am dead withoutregretting anything in the world except your tenderness and mybrother's."Adieu, mother!"Do not weep for me. It is the soul that lives, not the body, and whenthe latter perishes the former will still live and love you."Adieu, Lucien! Never leave our mother; and remember that she has youonly to look to now."Your Son,"Your Brother,"LOUIS DE FRANCHI."When I had finished the letter I turned to the writer and said--"Well, and what does this mean?""Do you not understand?" he said."No!""I am going to be shot at ten minutes past nine.""You are going to be shot?""Yes.""You are mad! Why, what has put such an idea into your head?""I am not mad, my dear friend. I have been warned--that's all.""Warned! By whom?""My brother has already told you, I think, that the male members ofour family enjoy a singular privilege?""True," I replied, shuddering, in spite of myself. "He spoke to meabout apparitions.""Quite so. Well, then, my father appeared to me last night. That iswhy you find me so pallid. The sight of the dead pales the living!"I gazed at him with astonishment, not unmixed with terror."You saw your father last night, you say?""Yes.""And he spoke to you?""He announced my death!""Oh, it was some terrible dream!""It was a terrible _reality._""You were asleep, my friend.""I was wide awake. Do you not believe that a father can appear to hisson?"I hung my head, for at the bottom of my heart I _did_ believe in thepossibility."What passed between you?" I asked."It is a very simple and very natural story. I was reading, expectingmy father--for I knew if any danger threatened that he would appear tome--and at midnight the lamp burnt low, the door opened slowly, and myfather appeared.""In what form?" I asked."Just as if he were alive--dressed in his usual manner--only he wasvery pale, and his eyes were without expression.""Good heavens!" I ejaculated."He slowly approached my bed. I raised myself with my elbow, and said,'You are welcome, father.'"He came close, and regarded me fixedly, and it then appeared to me asif some sort of paternal solicitude was expressed in his face.""Go on," I said; "this is terrible!""Then his lips moved, and, though I could hear no sound, I seemed tohear his words distinctly, though distant as an echo.""What did he say?""'Think of God, my son!'"'I shall be killed in this duel, then?' I asked."I saw the tears roll down the pallid visage of the spectre."'And at what hour?'"He pointed towards the timepiece. I followed the direction of hisfinger. The clock showed ten minutes past nine."'So be it, my father,' I said; 'God's will be done. I leave mymother, but I rejoin you.'"Then a faint smile passed over his face, he waved me a sign offarewell and glided away."The door opened as he advanced towards it, and when he haddisappeared it shut of its own accord."This recital was so simply and so naturally told, that it was evidentto me the event had occurred just as de Franchi had related it, or hewas the victim of an illusion, which he had believed to be real inconsequence of the pre-occupation of his mind, and was therefore allthe more terrible.I wiped the perspiration from my forehead."Now," continued Louis; "you know my brother, don't you?""Yes.""What do you think he will do when he learns that I have been killedin a duel?""He will leave Sullacaro at once to challenge the man who has killedyou.""Just so, and if he is killed in his turn, my mother will be thrice awidow; widowed by the loss of her husband, widowed by the loss of hertwo sons.""Ah! I understand. This is fearful!""Well, this must be avoided, and that is why I have written thisletter. Believing that I have died from brain fever my brother willnot seek to avenge me, and my mother will be the more easily consoled,knowing it was the will of God, and that I did not fall by the hand ofman. At least----""At least what?" I repeated."Oh, nothing," replied Louis. "I hope that will not come to pass."I saw that he was referring to some personal fear, and I did notinsist farther.At this moment the door opened, and the Baron de Giordano entered."My dear de Franchi," he said, "I respect your privacy more thananything, but it is past eight, and the meeting is appointed for nine;we have quite a league and a half to drive, and we should start atonce.""I am ready, my dear fellow," said Louis. "I have told my friend hereall I had to say to him."He put his finger on his lips as our eyes met."For you, my friend," he continued, turning to the table and taking upa sealed letter, "there is this; if anything should happen to me readthis letter, and I pray you to carry out my request contained in it.""To the very letter," replied the Baron."You were to provide the arms," said Louis."Yes," I replied, "but just as I was coming away I found that one ofthe dogs did not bark properly, so we shall be obliged to get a caseof pistols from Devisme."Louis looked at me, smiled, and held out his hand. He knew quite wellthat I did not wish to see him killed with my pistols."Have you a carriage?" he asked; "if not I will send Joseph for one.""My coupé is here," said the Baron, "and can carry three at a pinch;besides, my horses will take us more quickly than a _fiacre._""Let us go," said Louis.We went downstairs. Joseph was waiting at the door."Shall I accompany you, sir?" he said."No, Joseph," replied his master, "I shall not require your servicesto-day."Then, stepping back a pace and pressing a roll of gold into the man'shand, he said, "Take this, and if at any time I have appeared brusqueto you, pardon my ill-humour.""Oh, monsieur!" said Joseph, with tears in his eyes, "what is themeaning of this?""Chut!" said Louis, and he sprang into the carriage."He is a good servant," he murmured, "and if either of you can ever beof use to him I shall be obliged.""Is he about to leave you?" said the Baron."No," said Louis, smiling; "I am leaving him, that is all!"We stopped at Devismes just long enough to secure a case of pistols,powder and bullets, and then resumed our way at a brisk trot.