"Marquis, you are tricked!" he cried, "Everything is prepared--
seconds,--pistols,--all! But your man--your man has gone!"
"Gone!" exclaimed Fontenelle furiously, "Where?"
"Out of Rome! In a common fiacre--taking his latest mistress, one of
the stage-women with him. They were seen driving by the Porta Pia
towards the Campagna half an hour ago! He dare not face fire--bully
and coward that he is!"
"I will go after him!" said Fontenelle promptly, "Half an hour
ahead, you say! Good!--I will catch him up. Can I get a horse
anywhere?"
"Take mine," said Ruspardi eagerly, "he is perfectly fresh--just out
of the stable. Have you weapons?"
"Yes," and the Marquis unlocked a case, and loading two, placed them
in a travelling holder. Then, turning to Ruspardi he shook hands.
"Thanks, a thousand times! There are a few letters here--see to them
if I should not come back."
"What are you going to do?" asked Ruspardi, his excitement beginning
to cool a little, now that he saw the possible danger into which
Fontenelle was voluntarily rushing.
"Persuade the worthy mountebank either to come back or fight at once
on whatever ground I find him, and assume to be a gentleman--for
once!" said Fontenelle, carelessly.
Pages:
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538