much for the Baron de Relzieres. They always look as though they
detested one another," said Sonia, without raising her eyes from the
letter she was addressing.

"You've noticed that, have you?" said Germaine. "Now, as far as
Jacques is concerned--he's--he's so indifferent. None the less, when
we were at the Relzieres on Thursday, I caught him quarrelling with
Paul de Relzieres."

"Quarrelling?" said Sonia sharply, with a sudden uneasiness in air
and eyes and voice.

"Yes; quarrelling. And they said good-bye to one another in the
oddest way."

"But surely they shook hands?" said Sonia.

"Not a bit of it. They bowed as if each of them had swallowed a
poker."

"Why--then--then--" said Sonia, starting up with a frightened air;
and her voice stuck in her throat.

"Then what?" said Germaine, a little startled by her panic-stricken
face.

"The duel! Monsieur de Relzieres' duel!" cried Sonia.

"What? You don't think it was with Jacques?"