be, that I slipped out at the other door while he stood expecting me by
the one I entered. Here I met M. Pierre, when, as ill luck would have
it, the other came round the corner, and seeing me talking to the valet,
he challenged him at once.'

'Ha-ha-ha!' was heard again afar.

'Did they fight?' said Picotee.

'Yes, I believe they did. We left Nice the next day; but I heard some
time after of a duel not many miles off, and although I could not get
hold of the names, I make no doubt it was between those two gentlemen. I
never knew which of them fell; poor fellow, whichever it was.'

'Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!' came from the dining-room.

'Whatever are those boozy men laughing at, I wonder?' said Menlove. 'They
are always so noisy when the ladies have gone upstairs. Upon my soul,
I'll run up and find out.'

'No, no, don't,' entreated Picotee, putting her hand on her entertainer's
arm. 'It seems wrong; it is no concern of ours.'

'Wrong be hanged--anything on an impulse,' said Mrs. Menlove, skipping
across the room and out of the door, which stood open, as did others in
the house, the evening being sultry and oppressive.

Picotee waited in her seat until it occurred to her that she could escape
the lady's-maid by going off into her father's pantry in her absence. But
before this had been put into effect Menlove appeared again.