To pass through the weary
years of his exile without again seeing that charming face, finally to
strive in vain to recall it in all its perfect beauty! This thought
affected him more than the thought of the stigma on his birth. That he
could and would live down; he was still a man, with a brain and a heart
and a strong arm. But Diane!
The Comte d'Herouville, for some reason best known to himself, appeared
to be acting with a view toward partial conciliation. The Chevalier
did not wholly ignore this advance. D'Herouville would fight fair as
became a gentleman, and that was enough. Since they were soon to set
about killing each other, what mattered the prologue?
The vicomte watched this play, and it caused him to smile. He knew the
purpose of these advances: it was to bring about the freedom of the
Chevalier's cabin. As yet neither he nor the count had found the
golden opportunity. The Chevalier was never asleep or alone when they
knocked at the door of his cabin.
Each day D'Herouville approached the Chevalier when the latter was on
deck.
"You are improving, Monsieur?" was the set inquiry.
"I am gaining every hour, Monsieur," always returned the invalid.
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